Libya’s United Nations-recognised government has accepted an offer from Turkey for military and logistical support as it seeks to repel an offensive led by forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement on Thursday that its cabinet had “unanimously approved the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on security and military cooperation between the… Read more »
Lebanon’s dysfunction that has led to these protests is not new. It has its origins in the country’s sectarian political system laid out in the Taif agreement that ended the Lebonese civil war in 1989. This system was exploited by Lebonese political elites who were in power during the civil war. These elites have taken advantage of their power and… Read more »
Former education minister designated to become prime minister after president’s consultations with MPs. Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday tasked former Education Minister Hassan Diab with forming the country’s next government after Hezbollah and its allies nominated him during long-awaited talks with members of parliament. Lebanon has had a caretaker government since October 29, when Prime Minister Saad Hariri… Read more »
Thirteen Pakistani nationals, including eight children and four women, have died in a fire at a farm in Jordan, the civil defence department (CDD) has said. The fire swept through corrugated iron sheds housing labourers at the farm in South Shouna, a rural area west of the capital Amman, early on Monday. Three other people were injured. The Petra news… Read more »
Iranian state TV has said security forces killed what it called “thugs and rioters” during last month’s mass protests against a petrol price rise. Activists have accused the authorities of deliberately covering up the scale of the crackdown on the four days of unrest in more than 100 locations. Amnesty International has said at least 208 people were killed, but… Read more »
Three European powers have warned the UN that Iran is developing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles in violation of a Security Council resolution. A letter sent by the UK, France and Germany says Iran tested a Shahab-3 missile variant “equipped with a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle” that could deliver a nuclear weapon. Such activity is “inconsistent” with a resolution endorsing the 2015 Iran… Read more »
With the recent release of the Iran Cables by the Intercept in partnership with the New York Times, it has come to light that Iran has gained control of much of the Iraqui government in the approximately two decades since the U.S. invaded and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein. Not only has Iran compromised the government of Iraq, but… Read more »
A wide-ranging BBC survey shows almost half of Moroccans are considering emigrating and want immediate political change. So could Morocco follow in Sudan and Algeria’s footsteps and topple their leader, asks Tom de Castella. On a balcony overlooking Casablanca’s rooftops, a man draws on his cigarette and thinks about the dream that was snatched away. Saleh al-Mansouri is only in… Read more »
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iranian security forces have shot at protesters from helicopters and a rooftop and have aimed at peoples’ heads in using “severe violence” to quell anti-government unrest last month, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Friday. They have also fired at protesters as they were running away, Bachelet said in a statement, citing verified video footage…. Read more »
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli police on Friday detained four journalists from the Palestinian Authority’s official television station in Jerusalem, drawing protest from Palestinians who say their activities in the holy city are increasingly restricted. The Palestine TV crew was filming a talk show outside of Jerusalem’s walled Old City when Israeli officers detained them and took their equipment, the Authority’s… Read more »
