Middle East
Libya assembly chief to resign Tuesday: Aide - (24 days ago)
AFPThe president of Libya's highest political body will resign on Tuesday after a law was passed banning those who served under the ousted regime of late dictator Moamer Gaddafi, an aide said on Monday.Mohamed al-Megaryef "will on Tuesday evening submit his resignation before members of the General National Congress," one of his advisers told AFP, speaking on condition of
UPDATE: Syrian TV reporter killed near Qusayr - (24 days ago)
AFPA reporter for Syrian state television station Al-Ikhbariya has been killed while covering an army assault on the rebel stronghold of Qusayr, Syrian state television said on Monday."The ministry of information... announces that colleague Yara Abbas has been added to the ranks of the martyrs, killed by terrorists near Dabaa airport," north of Qusayr, it said in a breaking news alert.The Syrian
Reports: Kuwait oil minister resigns - (24 days ago)
APKuwait media say the Gulf nation's oil minister has resigned after criticism of a $2.2 billion compensation payment over a collapsed business deal.There was no immediate official comment Sunday on the reported resignation of Hani Hussein, but he has faced calls to be questioned in parliament over the payment to Dow Chemical Co.Some lawmakers have demanded an investigation into the settlement
France's Le Monde says chemical weapons used in Syria - (24 days ago)
ReutersSyrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have repeatedly used chemical weapons against rebel fighters in Damascus, according to first-hand accounts in France's Le Monde newspaper.The newspaper, in a report issued on its website on Monday, said one of its photographers had suffered blurred vision and respiratory difficulties for four days after an attack on April 13 on the Jobar
Syrian TV reporter killed near Qusayr: State media - (24 days ago)
A woman reporter for Syrian state television station Al-Ikhbariya has been killed while covering an army assault on the rebel stronghold of Qusayr, Syrian state television said on Monday."The ministry of information... announces that colleague Yara Abbas has been added to the ranks of the martyrs, killed by terrorists near Dabaa airport," north of Qusayr, it said in a breaking news
Kuwait appeals court orders opposition chief retrial - (24 days ago)
Kuwait's appeals court Monday quashed a five-year jail term given to opposition leader and former MP Mussallam al-Barrak last month for allegedly insulting the emir and ordered a retrial, a defence lawyer said."The (appeals) court declared the lower court verdict against Barrak illegal and cancelled it. It also agreed to call witnesses in the next hearing," Mohammad Abdulqader al-Jassem told
Female Israeli soldiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque grounds - (24 days ago)
Around 70 Israeli female soldiers raided the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Monday morning, in addition to around ten military intelligence personnel and about 25 Israeli settlers, according to a press release by the Al-Aqsa Foundation for Religious Endowments and Islamic Heritage.According to the statement, there have been numerous incidents of Israeli security forces and settlers
At least 79 Hezbollah fighters killed in Qusayr: NGO - (24 days ago)
AFPAt least 79 members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have been killed fighting alongside the Syrian army in the town of Qusayr since last week, a watchdog said on Monday."The number of Lebanese Hezbollah fighters killed in recent months in the outskirts of Damascus and Homs has risen to 141," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a statement."That includes 79 fighters killed
Israel probes possible attack from Lebanon - (24 days ago)
AFPThe Israeli military was on Monday investigating a possible overnight attack launched from Lebanon on a northern border village, after residents reported hearing explosions."Residents in Metulla reported hearing booms. We are still checking the area and haven't found anything yet," a military spokeswoman told AFP.There was no official confirmation from Beirut, but military and security sources
Syria opposition in disarray as regime says ready to talk: AFP report - (24 days ago)
AFPForging a united position on the proposed Geneva talks is all the more urgent given military setbacks on the ground and a forthcoming flurry of diplomatic activity that aims to stop the conflict that has claimed 90,000 lives.A massive battle in the central Syrian town of Qusayr, which pits rebels against pro-Assad forces led by Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, increasingly appears to be
Iran rejects French claim on its role in Syria war - (24 days ago)
AFPIran on Sunday rejected French accusations of its forces assisting the Syrian regime against rebels, insisting it is for a political solution to the crisis in the strife-torn country."France is seeking to conceal its all-out interference in Syria's affairs which has led to human and financial losses," Iranian media quoted foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi as saying.His remarks came
Israeli MP enters Al-Aqsa compound on eve of wedding - (24 days ago)
Escorted by tight security, Tzipi Hotovely, Knesset member for Israel's right-wing Likud Party, entered the grounds of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday afternoon accompanied by her cousins and a handful of Jewish rabbis.A statement issued by the Aqsa Foundation for Endowments and Heritage said that Hotovely had coordinated her entry into the flashpoint area with Israeli police.The MK
Palestinian economic plan looks to inject $4 bn: Kerry - (24 days ago)
AFPUS Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday an economic plan to revive the ailing Palestinian economy is expected to produce around $4 billion dollars in investment."We are looking to mobilise some $4 billion of investment" in tourism construction, Kerry told the closing session of the World Economic Forum, held in the Jordanian town of Al Shunah on the shores of the Dead Sea.Kerry said
Tunisia pro-Islamist militia says officials released - (24 days ago)
AFPA controversial Tunisian pro-Islamist militia said on Sunday police had released two of its officials arrested at a prohibited meeting.On Saturday, police detained Imed Deghij and Mohamed Amine Agrebi, officials from the League for the Protection of the Revolution, and a handful of their supporters for several hours.The militia, which the opposition says has ties to the ruling Islamist Ennahda
11 killed as Syria rebels, Kurds clash: Watchdog - (24 days ago)
AFPKurdish militants battled rebels in northern Syria on Sunday near the border with Turkey a day after deadly clashes killed 11 insurgents, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.The latest fighting came as Syrian Kurds, long oppressed under President Bashar al-Assad's regime, said in Istanbul that they wanted to take part in peace conference which the US and Russia hope to convene in
Libyan congress approves new interior minister - (24 days ago)
ReutersLibya's national assembly on Sunday approved a new interior minister after the incumbent submitted his resignation amid a rise in violence in the North African country.Prime Minister Ali Zeidan last week nominated Tripoli police colonel Mohammed Khalifa al-Sheikh to take over from Ashour Shuail, after the latter said he would quit his post for "personal reasons", official sources
Syria Kurds want to take part in Geneva peace talks - (24 days ago)
AFPSyrian Kurds, long oppressed under President Bashar al-Assad's regime, said Sunday they want to take part in a mooted Geneva peace conference.A meeting of Syria's main opposition National Coalition in Istanbul remained in deadlock Sunday over participation in the talks and the inclusion of new members.However Syria's Kurds, who make up about 15 percent of the population, said they wanted to
Bahrain FM calls Hezbollah head Nasrallah a 'terrorist' - (24 days ago)
The leader of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, is a "terrorist" who must be stopped, Bahrain's foreign minister said on Sunday."Terrorist Nasrallah has declared war on his nation," said Sheikh Khaled al-Khalifa on his Twitter account."Stopping him and rescuing Lebanon from his grip is a national and religious duty for all of us," he said.The minister's remarks come a day
Egypt waits as international players mull negotiated settlement in Syria - (24 days ago)
In Paris on Monday, US and Russian foreign ministers John Kerry and Serge Lavrov are meeting to discuss the framework of a proposed meeting on Syria expected to soon take place in Geneva.The planned meeting will be a follow-up to a meeting last summer that had called for a negotiated power transition from the government of Bashar Al-Assad to a representative government reflective of Syria's
Hezbollah should change name to 'Party of Satan': Turkish official - (24 days ago)
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ said on Sunday that Hezbollah, or 'the Party of God' in Arabic, should change its name to 'the Party of Satan,' blaming the Lebanese-Shia movement for killing civilians in next-door Syria.Speaking at an international symposium in Ankara, Bozdağ warned against attempts to incite sectarian strife, claiming that those responsible – particularly in
Arab League chief slams Beirut strikes, Hezbollah involvement in Syria - (24 days ago)
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil El-Arabi expressed concern over the "accelerated pace" of violence in Lebanon after two rockets struck a Hezbollah-controlled area of Beirut on Sunday morning."Violence in the Lebanese city of Tripoli and the criminal act in Beirut represent attempts to destabilise Lebanon's security situation, just like the heartbreaking, bloody situation in Syria," El-Arabi
Muslim Brotherhood condemns Hezbollah - (25 days ago)
Daily News EgyptThe Muslim Brotherhood condemned on Saturday the Iranian intervention in Syria through “Hezbollah militias”.The Brotherhood’s official statement came after Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah vowed to achieve victory in “the battle of Syria” through a televised speech.“The Muslim Brotherhood … underlines their full refusal and
Jordan seeks to deploy Patriot missiles - (25 days ago)
AFPJordan said on Sunday it is in talks with "friendly countries" to deploy Patriot missiles on its territory after a similar move by Turkey."Jordan wishes to deploy Patriot missile batteries in order to boost its defence capabilities and help protect the country," Information Minister Mohammad Momani told a news conference."We are currently at the stage of talks with friendly states," said
Kuwaitis urged to avoid Lebanon after attack - (25 days ago)
AFPKuwait on Sunday urged its citizens to avoid Lebanon and those already there to leave "as soon as possible" after two rockets hit a stronghold of Shiite militia Hezbollah in the capital Beirut."Due to the unstable situation in Lebanon and the expected consequences... a foreign ministry official urged citizens to exercise caution and to abandon travel to Lebanon at present," the KUNA news
Syria to attend Geneva peace conference: FM - (25 days ago)
AFPSyria's foreign minister said on Sunday that his government will take part in a peace conference in Geneva, terming it a "good opportunity for a political solution" to the civil war in Syria.Walid Muallem said during a news conference in Baghdad that he had told his counterpart Hoshyar Zebari and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of the decision during the previously unannounced visit to
Israeli-Palestinian peace real possibility: Peres - (25 days ago)
AFPPresident Shimon Peres said on Sunday that time should not be wasted in the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, calling it "a real possibility"."Two points are urgent: we shouldn't lose the opportunity because it will he replaced by great disappointment," Peres told reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan."We have to
Rockets hit Hezbollah Beirut heartland - (25 days ago)
AFPFour people were wounded on Sunday when two rockets exploded in the Shiite-majority Hezbollah heartland of south Beirut, a Lebanese security source said."Two Grad rockets hit the southern suburbs of Beirut. One rocket struck a car showroom where four people were wounded and vehicles were damaged," the source told AFP.It was the first time the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs have been
Hezbollah chief promises victory in Syria conflict - (25 days ago)
AFPHezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday vowed "victory" in Syria, where militants of his powerful Lebanese Shiite movement are fighting alongside regular troops against rebels trying to topple the regime."I say to all the honourable people, to the mujahedeen, to the heroes: I have always promised you a victory and now I pledge to you a new one" in Syria, he said at a ceremony marking the
Hezbollah chief says group is fighting in Syria - (25 days ago)
APThe leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah says his Shiite militant group will not stand idly by while its chief ally Syria is under attack.Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah says Hezbollah members are fighting in Syria against Islamic extremists who pose a danger to Lebanon.Nasrallah's comments Saturday marked the first time he has publically confirmed his men were fighting in Syria.They are also his first since
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AFPTurkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rallies supporters after riot police again clash with thousands of anti-government demonstrators in a second week of nationwide unrest.Three people have died in the protests against Erdogan and his Islamic-leaning Justice and Development Party (AKP), in power since 2002.Following are the main events of the past days:- May 28: A peaceful local protest
AFPTurkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing one of the biggest challenges of his decade in power with anti-government protests that critics say have exposed growing discontent with his increasingly authoritarian and conservative agenda.Here are the key events since Erdogan's Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) assumed power in the predominantly Muslim but staunchly
AHRAM ONLINEFounders of Egypt’s 'Rebel' campaign, a newly established movement that aims to withdraw confidence from President Mohamed Morsi by collecting citizens' signatures, spoke at an open forum on Wednesday to discuss the campaign, which has recently gone viral online and on the streets.'Rebel' campaigners hope to collect 15 million signatures and hold a mass sit-in on 30 June –
BBC SportWhen it's put to him that he might be the most talented athlete in the world to hold a racquet, a bashful Ramy Ashour admits "that's pretty great".The 25-year-old Egyptian is more than just the current squash world number one - his elastic, unorthodox brilliance and charisma could be the key to squash breaking out beyond its four walls and regaining a place on the wider sporting
