This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8528427.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| EU condemns Dubai passport plot | EU condemns Dubai passport plot |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| European Union foreign ministers have "strongly condemned" the use of forged European passports in the assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. | European Union foreign ministers have "strongly condemned" the use of forged European passports in the assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. |
| The statement made no direct reference to Israel, whose secret services are widely accused of having carried out last month's killing in Dubai. | The statement made no direct reference to Israel, whose secret services are widely accused of having carried out last month's killing in Dubai. |
| The ministers met in Brussels ahead of a meeting between them and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. | The ministers met in Brussels ahead of a meeting between them and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. |
| Mr Lieberman has reiterated there is "no proof" of Israel's involvement. | Mr Lieberman has reiterated there is "no proof" of Israel's involvement. |
| "There is no proof Israel is involved in this affair, and if somebody had presented any proof, aside from press stories, we would have reacted," Mr Lieberman said in a statement from his office. | "There is no proof Israel is involved in this affair, and if somebody had presented any proof, aside from press stories, we would have reacted," Mr Lieberman said in a statement from his office. |
| "But since there are no concrete elements, there is no need to react." | "But since there are no concrete elements, there is no need to react." |
| His comments followed the EU statement which said: "The killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai raises issues which are profoundly disturbing. | |
| "We strongly condemn the use of fraudulent EU member states' passports and credit cards acquired through the theft of EU citizens' identities." | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy also "unreservedly condemned" the assassination during a press conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, news agency AFP said. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy also "unreservedly condemned" the assassination during a press conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, news agency AFP said. |
| Mr Mabhouh was killed in Dubai by a team who had entered the country on assumed identities belonging to British, Irish, French and German citizens. | Mr Mabhouh was killed in Dubai by a team who had entered the country on assumed identities belonging to British, Irish, French and German citizens. |
| Israeli meeting | Israeli meeting |
| The foreign ministers of those countries are to question Mr Lieberman about Israel's role in the assassination, in private meetings on Monday. | |
| EU foreign affairs chief Baroness Ashton is also due to hold talks with Mr Lieberman. | |
| Her spokesman, Lutz Guellner, said she "shares the concern over fraudulent use of passports". | Her spokesman, Lutz Guellner, said she "shares the concern over fraudulent use of passports". |
| Speaking earlier, Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said he wanted to "underline our deep concern about the fake use of passports" and to "seek reassurance and clarification on this very serious issue". | Speaking earlier, Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said he wanted to "underline our deep concern about the fake use of passports" and to "seek reassurance and clarification on this very serious issue". |
| Mr Mabhouh was murdered in a Dubai hotel room, police say | Mr Mabhouh was murdered in a Dubai hotel room, police say |
| The EU statement did not mention it by name, but Mossad, Israel's secret service, is widely accused of being behind the killing. | The EU statement did not mention it by name, but Mossad, Israel's secret service, is widely accused of being behind the killing. |
| The assassins, some disguised in wigs and moustaches, were filmed following Mr Mabhouh, on Dubai's extensive CCTV network. | The assassins, some disguised in wigs and moustaches, were filmed following Mr Mabhouh, on Dubai's extensive CCTV network. |
| He was killed in his hotel room and an autopsy report said he had been electrocuted and then suffocated. | He was killed in his hotel room and an autopsy report said he had been electrocuted and then suffocated. |
| It has emerged that the British citizens whose identities were stolen also hold Israeli citizenship. | It has emerged that the British citizens whose identities were stolen also hold Israeli citizenship. |
| Six British Israeli citizens are to be given new passports by the British embassy in Jerusalem, it was announced on Sunday. | Six British Israeli citizens are to be given new passports by the British embassy in Jerusalem, it was announced on Sunday. |
| The British embassy said it was the first step to clearing their names, which are now on an Interpol wanted list. | The British embassy said it was the first step to clearing their names, which are now on an Interpol wanted list. |
| Police in Dubai have also indicated there could be further revelations to come about the assassination. | Police in Dubai have also indicated there could be further revelations to come about the assassination. |
| Some of the estimated 18-strong hit team could have entered the country using diplomatic passports, Lt Gen Dhahi Khalifan Tamim told reporters. | Some of the estimated 18-strong hit team could have entered the country using diplomatic passports, Lt Gen Dhahi Khalifan Tamim told reporters. |