Gulf News Report Published: February 22, 2008, 01:22
A daily pick of news events that happened on this day in history from the pages of Gulf News dated February 22, 1980, including Egypt opening a mission in Israel.
Keep off Pakistan's border, Zia warns Russian troops
Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq warned the Russians not to cross the border in pursuit of Muslim rebels in eastern Afghanistan amid reports that the Soviet troops in Afghanistan are moving in force closer towards the Pakistan border and could try to seal it off.
"Our firm resolve is to defend our national independence and territorial integrity at any cost if we ever find these imperilled," Zia said responding to reports of increased fighting between Soviet forces and Muslim rebels.
US does not rule out nuclear options in Gulf
A US Defence Department spokesman sought to "damp down" speculation that the US was considering use of nuclear weapons in any military confrontation with the Soviet Union over control of the Gulf region.
Thomas Ross did not rule out the possible use of such weapons if vital US interests were threatened. "I think the speculation about nuclear weapons has been a bit overdone." Ross said.
Radicals on the rise as Iran toughens on hostages
Events in Iran took a radical turn when knife-wielding religious extremists attacked a political meeting at the Tehran University and the militant students holding US hostages dismissed as "Foolish expectation" American hopes that the captives would be freed before the deposed Shah was returned to face trial here.
Egypt opens mission in Israel
A 23-member Egyptian delegation arrived in Israel to open an embassy in Tel Aviv, but set up temporary headquarters in 10 rooms of a seaside hotel as the Arab world's first diplomatic mission in the Jewish state. Security was stepped up inside and outside the Hilton Hotel, located along the city's crowded Beachfront Hotel strip.
