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Iran's Ambassador Returns to Libya

Iran's ambassador to Libya has returned to the war-torn country in hopes of "deepening bilateral cooperation," the official IRNA news agency reported Thursday citing a foreign ministry statement.

"Our country's ambassador, Ali Asghar Naseri ... has returned to Tripoli and resumed his activities under the new political climate," the foreign ministry statement said.

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Report: Israel Evacuates Jordan Embassy

Israeli ambassador to Jordan, Danny Navon was returning to Israel on Thursday with his staff, fearing a large demonstration outside the embassy in Amman over the weekend, Israeli public radio reported.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper said that calls for a mass rally had been posted of social networking site Facebook under the banner "No Zionist embassy on Jordanian territory."

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Sarkozy, Cameron to Visit Libya Thursday

The head of Libya's National Transitional Council confirmed that French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be among leaders visiting Tripoli on Thursday.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil confirmed to Agence France Presse that Sarkozy would visit, and added that "we say to the leaders coming tomorrow that they will be safe."

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Tunisia Poll Favorite Unveils Islamic Program

The Ennahda party tipped to dominate Tunisia's first post-revolution polls next month on Wednesday unveiled a campaign program vowing to build a democracy based on Islamic values.

"Today's and tomorrow's Tunisia need to be based on the country's Arab-Muslim identity," Ennahda chairman Rached Ghannouchi told around 1,000 people gathered for the launch of his party's program.

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U.S. Vows Not to Meddle in Post-Gadhafi Libya

Washington respects the right of Libyans to decide their own future, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday in Tripoli, as the African Union pushed for an inclusive government after Moammar Gadhafi's ouster.

"The United States respects Libya's sovereignty," said Jeffrey Feltman, the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the Libyan capital since its capture from Gadhafi’s forces on August 23.

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Kuwaiti Activists Support Demand for Constitutional Monarchy

A Kuwaiti political group and two youth groups said Wednesday they solidly back calls for a constitutional monarchy as the wealthy Gulf state battles with a corruption scandal involving MPs.

A call for fundamental political reforms, including the appointment of a premier from outside the ruling family, was made on Sunday by the September 16 Youths group which plans to stage a major rally on Friday to press for change.

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U.S. Committed to Gulf Security, Burns Says in Saudi

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns affirmed Washington's commitment to security in the Gulf during a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a statement said.

Burns "reaffirmed to Saudi leaders the United States' firm and enduring commitment to Gulf security, including our commitment to countering the threat of Iran's nuclear program and Iran's destabilizing activities in the region," said the U.S. statement received by Agence France Presse.

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Russia Warns 'Terrorist Organizations' May Rise in Syria

Russia warned on Wednesday that "terrorist organizations" may arise in Syria should President Bashar al-Assad's regime fall under pressure from ongoing street protests.

"If the Syrian government is unable to hold on to power, there is a high probability that radicals and representatives of terrorist organizations will become entrenched," Interfax quoted a top foreign ministry official as saying.

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Huge Military Sweep Launched in Northwest Syria

Syrian security forces on Wednesday launched a massive military operation in the northwest of the country, activists said, while calling for demonstrations Thursday to mark six months of revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Six months. More than ever determined to (continue) the March 15 uprising," the activists wrote on their Facebook page, "Syrian Revolution 2011", despite the crackdown on protests which according to the United Nations has left 2,600 people dead, mostly civilians.

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Israel Warns of 'Harsh' Consequences of Palestinian U.N. Bid

Hardline Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Wednesday there will be "harsh and grave consequences" if the Palestinians persist with their plan to seek U.N. membership as a state.

Speaking shortly before a scheduled meeting with EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton, Lieberman did not elaborate on the threatened consequences.

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