Lebanon lengthens night-time curfew and other news from the Middle East
Lebanon has lengthened a nationwide night-time curfew in place since September by four hours and extended lockdowns in 115 towns and villages, amid a continuing surge in new coronavirus infections. ...
Turkey earthquake: Search efforts continue for third day as death toll rises
Rescue teams in the Turkish port city of Izmir are continuing to search for survivors of Friday's powerful earthquake, as officials say the death toll has increased to at least 60. ...
Lebanon rejects new migrant worker contract
A court in Lebanon suspended plans on Wednesday to introduce a new migrant worker contract that would have replaced the long-criticised kafala system. ...
New Sunni front in Iraq parliament opposes Speaker Halbousi
A new Sunni front has emerged in Iraq comprising 35 parliamentarians who seek to oust the speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives, Mohamed Al-Halbousi. ...
Israel, Lebanon hold second round of sea border talks
Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday held a second round of US-mediated talks over their disputed sea border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area, though sources said gaps between the sides remain large, Reuters reports. ...
US: Arab Peace Initiative is no longer necessary
US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council on Monday that the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 “is no longer needed”, Al-Watan Voice reported. ...
Lebanon’s Hariri to form government of specialists
Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri vowed to form a government of specialists yesterday, local media reported. ...
US issues fresh Iran-related sanctions
The United States on Monday imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions targeting the oil sector, including the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum, in Washington’s latest action to increase pressure on Tehran. ...
Iraqi Forces, Protesters Clash in Baghdad, Injuries on Both Sides
Iraqi security forces clashed with anti-government demonstrators in Baghdad on Sunday with at least 39 people, most of them police officers, injured by projectiles unleashed from each side, security officials said. ...
US sanctions Iran ambassador to Iraq
The US has imposed sanctions on Thursday on Iran’s ambassador to Iraq. ...
Israel attacks Turkey, renews full support for Greece
Israel strongly attacked Turkey and renewed its full support for Greece regarding the East Mediterranean crisis, The New Khalij reported on Friday. ...
Libya rivals sign ceasefire deal in Geneva
Libya's warring factions have signed an agreement on a ceasefire, after five days of talks in Geneva. ...
Lebanon: Hariri to head government with majority of parliament votes
Former Lebanese Prime Minister and leader of the Future Movement Saad Hariri is heading towards assuming the post of Lebanon’s prime minister to form the new government. ...
Russian airstrike injures 5 civilians in Syria's Idlib
Lebanese President Michel Aoun announced on Wednesday that corruption has become institutionalised and deeply-rooted in the country’s administration. ...
Iraq discovers mass grave of Daesh victims in Kirkuk
Iraqi security forces have discovered what is believed to be the mass grave of people killed by Daesh in the Kirkuk governorate, local media reported yesterday. ...
UN arms embargo ends against Iran
An arms embargo imposed since 2007 by the UN Security Council (UNSC) ended Sunday, according to Iran’s foreign ministry. ...
Pandemic kills 30 in Oman, 26 in Libya
Health authorities in Oman confirmed 30 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday, while Libya reported 26 fatalities. ...
Lebanon protesters' euphoria gives way to despair
Thousands of young protesters poured into Tripoli's al-Nour Square a year ago for what turned into a massive dance party. ...
Coronavirus: Israel to ease second lockdown after cases decline
Israel's government has agreed to ease a month-long second nationwide lockdown, after a significant decline in the number of new coronavirus cases. ...
Lebanon: Hariri set to withdraw candidacy for premiership
Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri has decided to withdraw his candidacy to form the next government, while mediations are underway to dissuade him, local media reported. ...