Omar Sharif brokered Begin-Sadat meeting?
Actor claims in Washington conference that late Sadat asked him 'to feel Begin's pulse.' More features from Arab world: Egypt to manufacture Viagra, plastic surgeries in Jordan and more millionaires in Saudi Arabia, Dubai
President Sadat's secret envoy: Famous Egyptian actor Omar Sharif revealed that late President Anwar Sadat sent him 'to feel Begin's pulse' regarding Jerusalem's willingness to host him, before his 1977 visit, London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat reports
In a speech delivered during the annual Arab-American Conference against Discrimination, Sharif said that Sadat had called him 30 years ago and asked him to check Israel's position on the possibility that Sadat would visit there. The goal was to end the hostility between the two countries.
Sharif said he immediately went to the Israeli embassy in Paris and asked to meet with the ambassador. The actor also disclosed that he even spoke to Prime Minister Menachem Begin, though the reports didn't specify whether he indeed had an active role in the historic visit.
No scarves in Oslo: Al-Arabiya television news channel reported that the high school administration in Oslo, Norway, decided to ban wearing head scarves that leave only the eyes exposed. Oslo mayor Per Ditlev Simonsen said the decision was made since head scarves make it difficult for teachers to recognize students.
Egyptian Viagra: The Egyptian Health Ministry approved the production of Viagra after a long wait and many appeals by local drug companies, reported the Jordanian news agency Petra. The ministry decided to manufacture Viagra in Egypt in order to supply the drug for a fair price and prevent smuggling of imitation Viagra. A poll conducted in Egypt estimated the Viagra market in Egypt to be worth USD 2 billion.
Nouveau Rich: For some, purchasing Viagra is no big deal. The number of millionaires in Saudi Arabia has increased by 13.5 percent in the past year to 80,100. London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat reported that the economy in the Middle East and especially in Saudi Arabia showed a significant gain thanks to the surging oil prices. The number of millionaires in Dubai has also increased from 52,600 in 2004 to 59,000 in 2005.
Plastic surgery in Jordan: Plastic surgeries in Jordan have become very popular, and controversy surrounding their necessity is on the rise. Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper reported that many young men and women are turning to plastic surgery clinics in to change their physical appearance, despite criticism that plastic surgeries are not necessary.
A Jordanian plastic surgery specialist said that women usually come in for liposuctions, eyelids surgery and facelifts, nose jobs and breast augmentations and reductions. Men usually go for hair transplants, nose jobs and eyelids surgery.
