Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, March 29

KHARTOUM -- Khartoum airport on Thursday announced suspension of air flights due to a dust storm which has been hitting the Sudanese capital Khartoum since early Thursday morning.

"It has been decided to suspend the air flights until the dust storm clears," said Mohammed Al-Mahdi Abdoun, Khartoum airport spokesman, in a statement. (Sudan-Suspension of Flights)

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RAMALLAH -- The Palestinian president's spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh on Thursday rejected statements by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, in which he called for replacing President Mahmoud Abbas if he does not return to negotiations with Israel.

Abu Rudeineh described Friedman's statements as "blatant and unacceptable interference in internal Palestinian affairs." (Palestinians)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraq on Thursday inaugurated the first Baghdad International Book Exhibition after the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

The 10-day exhibition is held at the Baghdad International Fair under the slogan of "We read to promote ourselves." (Iraq-Book Exhibition)

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CAIRO -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi discussed on Thursday mutual military cooperation with visiting chairman of the Pakistani Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Zubair Mahmood Hayat.

In a statement, Sisi and Hayat discussed bilateral relations and boosting military cooperation between the two countries. (Egypt-Military) Enditem