Regional News

April 22, 2013

Hosni Mubarak waves to supporters during a court appearance in April (AFP)
14:24 GMT

Judge keeps the ex-President behind bars, overturning a previous release order

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel listens to Israeli Minister of Defence Moshe Yaalon (R) speaking during a joint press conference following a meeting at the Ministry of Defence on April 22, 2013 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo: AFP)
13:20 GMT

The United States is to equip Israel with a range of advanced missiles and fighter jets.

Mussallam al-Barrak
11:25 GMT

An appeals court in Kuwait grants bail to a leading opposition figure convicted of insulting the ruling emir.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi (AFP)
08:48 GMT

Mohamed Morsi has embarked on a cabinet reshuffle without consulting advisers, according to reports

The move, a boost to rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime, is the latest signal of support from the European bloc to the opposition. (AFP)
08:27 GMT

The European Union on Monday is set to ease its oil embargo placed on Syria in favor of opposition fighters in the country, EU diplomats said.

Activists said Sunday they were still counting corpses discovered after Syrian troops stormed an area of Damascus suburbs, killing some 100 people amid a stepped-up government offensive against opposition rebels.
06:44 GMT

Syrian government troops seize a town near Damascus, killing over 80 people, including women and children, opposition activists say.

April 21, 2013

Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki submitted his resignation to President Mohamed Morsi on Sunday.
16:04 GMT

Egyptian Minister of Justice Ahmed Mekki offers his resignation.

Jordan says it is currently hosting more than 500,000 Syrian refugees and the United Nations High Commissioner expects the number to soar to 1.2 million by the end of 2013.
14:05 GMT

Eight Syrians at the overcrowded Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan have been arrested on suspicion of inciting violence, say Jordanian officials.

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel waits for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to arrive for meetings at the Pentagon on Thurday in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo: AFP)
10:46 GMT

US defense secretary Chuck Hagel will present Israel and Arab states with a $10 billion arms deal to defend themselves from Iran on his week-long trip to the Middle East, which kicked off on Sunday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a press conferance at the Friends of Syria meeting on Saturday in Istanbul. (Photo: AFP PHOTO/OZAN KOSE)
09:53 GMT

US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Sunday a doubling of US aid to opposition forces in Syria, offering an additional $123 million in non-lethal assistance, according to reports.

Bahraini protesters put fire on barricades during clashes with riot police following a protest against the Formula One Grand Prix on Friday in the village of Sanabis, west of Manama. (Photo: AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH)
06:32 GMT

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets across Bahrain to protest Sunday’s Formula One Grand Prix amid a fierce government crackdown.

April 20, 2013

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has announced that a ministerial reshuffle is to be expected "soon."
21:26 GMT

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has announced that a ministerial reshuffle is to be expected "soon."

April 19, 2013

Protests at Presidential Palace, Cairo (Image used for illustrative purposes)
21:32 GMT

Scores are injured as Islamist anti-judiciary protesters clash with unknown rivals, demanding a 'cleansing' of the court membership. Rallies near Egypt's High Court in downtown Cairo erupted into violence as firearms were used leaving at least 95 injured.

April 18, 2013

Protestors in Bahrain attend a demonstration ahead of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix (AFP/ Mohammed Al-Sheikh)
11:07 GMT

Activists told Amnesty International that dozens of protestors have been arrested

Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al_Zawahiri
10:27 GMT

Seven-strong group arrested for financing, recruiting and providing logistical support for al-Qaeda's regional activity