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Syrian opposition resumes tough talks on unity key to peace push

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:54:58 +0300

By Khaled Yacoub Oweis ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Syria's opposition resumed talks on Saturday aimed at closing their fractious ranks, crucial to launching an international peace conference, and government forces pressed an onslaught on a rebel-held town to try to gain the upper hand in civil war. Failure of the opposition to unite could weaken the hand of conference co-sponsors Russia and the United States in ending Syria's conflict, which has killed 80,000 people, threatens to spill across borders and whip up wider sectarian conflict. The U.S. ...

Bahraini protesters clash with police over raid on cleric's home

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:21:56 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - Hundreds of Bahraini Shi'ite Muslims angered by a raid last week on a top cleric's home clashed with police on Friday, while thousands more gathered in the cleric's village for a peaceful sit-in against their Sunni-led government. The raid by security forces on the home of Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassim on May 17 infuriated the opposition and drew condemnation from neighbouring Shi'ite power Iran. Bahrain, home to the U.S. ...

UAE, OIC condemn killing of British soldier

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:38:21 +0300

Abu Dhabi, May 25 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have strongly condemned the killing of a British soldier in Woolwich, London.

Hackers attack Saudi official websites: reports

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:51:40 +0300

Cyber hackers attacked several official Saudi websites on Saturday, posting an Algerian flag on their homepages that later vanished, local media reported.

Jordan plans military exercises with 18 countries

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:12:49 +0300

More than 15,000 soldiers from 18 different countries will take part in a joint military exercise in Jordan in the coming weeks, a military official said on Saturday.

Hezbollah losses in Syria steep, but morale high

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:56:39 +0300

Hassan is just 18 and a fighter with the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, which threw nearly 2,000 men into the Syrian army's assault on the central town of Qusayr this week.

Syrian opposition struggle to unify ranks

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:39:18 +0300

Meeting for a third day in Istanbul, Syrian National Coalition fails to agree on expanding to include more factions.

Saudi says Assad should not have role in Syria talks

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:56:28 +0300

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Saturday that Syria's embattled President Bashar Assad should not take part in the proposed peace talks aimed at ending that country's deadly conflict.

Palestinian-Israeli peace deal 'still possible': Abbas

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:19:36 +0300

Peace between Israelis and Palestinians is "still possible", Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on Saturday, hailing US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts to revive stalled talks.

28 dead in Lebanon Sunni-Alawite clashes

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:07:16 +0300

Firefights in northern Lebanon between Sunni Muslims and Alawites -- the Shiite offshoot sect to which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad belongs -- have killed 28 people, a security source said on Saturday.

Qusayr battle rages as Syria regime presses assault

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:36:37 +0300

Intense clashes rocked the central Syrian town of Qusayr on Saturday, a watchdog reported, as regime forces backed by fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah pressed an assault they launched almost nearly a week ago.

WHO to help KSA probe coronavirus before Haj