Middle East
Latest stories
Israel Media Fear 'Darkness' from Egypt’s Mursi

Israeli media expressed almost unanimous concern on Monday about the victory of Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi in Egypt's presidential election, warning of a difficult new reality.

"Darkness in Egypt," read the headline of the top-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper, with commentator Smadar Peri writing inside the newspaper that Mursi's victory was a dangerous development for Israel.

W140 Full Story
Kuwait Opposition says Court Ruling on Elections Invalid

The Kuwaiti opposition described a ruling by the top court scrapping legislative polls as "null and void" and politically motivated, urging a reversal of the decision to avoid "turmoil" in the country.

"From a legal viewpoint, the ruling is null and void ... and accordingly has no value," said a statement signed by 35 members of the dissolved parliament following a lengthy meeting that ended at midnight Sunday.

W140 Full Story
Free Syrian Army Pleads for Help for Siege City

Syrian troops pounded the central city of Homs on Monday, activists and monitors said, amid warnings from the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) of an impending "massacre" there.

Main opposition bloc the Syrian National Council (SNC) issued a distress plea from residents, urging international help "before it is too late."

W140 Full Story
Australia Announces New Syria Sanctions as FM Urges Russian Action

Australia Monday announced fresh sanctions against Syria restricting or prohibiting trade across entire sectors as Foreign Minister Bob Carr urged Russia to take a lead role in regime change.

The new measures affect trade between Australia and Syria in oil, petroleum, financial services, telecommunications and precious metals and are in addition to an existing arms embargo and sanctions against individuals connected to leaders in Damascus.

W140 Full Story
Iran Welcomes Win by Egypt's Morsi

Iran on Sunday welcomed the presidential election win in Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi, but made no mention of possibly resuming diplomatic ties cut more than three decades ago.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran congratulates the victory of the Egyptian people in this election and the presidency of Dr Mohamed Morsi, and pays homage to the country's martyrs," said a foreign ministry statement carried by state media.

W140 Full Story
Israeli Court Okays Deportation of Ivory Coast Migrants

An Israeli court on Sunday upheld government plans to deport illegal migrants from the Ivory Coast, paving the way for the imminent expulsion of an estimated 2,000 Ivorians.

W140 Full Story
West Welcomes Morsi's Win, U.S. Urges New Govt. to be 'Pillar of Peace'

The West welcomed on Sunday the election of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi as Egypt's first president following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.

The United States congratulated Morsi on his election and urged his government to fulfill its role as a "pillar of regional peace."

W140 Full Story
Clinton Condemns Syria for Shooting Down Turkish Jet

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned Syria on Sunday for the "brazen and unacceptable" shooting down of a Turkish fighter jet and vowed to work with Ankara on a suitable response.

"It is yet another reflection of the Syrian authorities' callous disregard for international norms, human life, and peace and security," Clinton said in a written statement.

W140 Full Story
Netanyahu Seeks Cooperation after Morsi Win

Israel's prime minister said his country respects the democratic election of Islamist Mohamed Morsi as Egypt's president on Sunday and wants to cooperate with the new government in Cairo.

W140 Full Story
Sadr: Iraq PM Must Go for Reforms to Happen

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki needs to be removed for reforms to take place, powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Sunday, adding that his MPs would back a no-confidence vote if needed.

"Reforms are the main goal, and withdrawing confidence precedes these reforms," Sadr told reporters in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, likening the situation to the need to wash before prayers.

W140 Full Story