UN Envoy Brahimi ponders resignation
CAIRO — UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is thinking about stepping down as the Syrian war becomes more intractable, but is likely to stay on until at least mid-May, a senior aide said on Thursday.UN and Arab diplomats said on Wednesday the veteran envoy was on the verge of quitting over his frustration with...The price of pursuing truth about Israel-Palestine
I am withdrawing from the battlefield of the war for the truth of history as it relates to the making and sustaining of the conflict in and over Palestine that became Israel, and the following is an explanation of why.More than three decades ago, when I made my commitment to this war effort — with the full knowledge that it would make...Arab League land-swap offer angers Palestinians
Earlier this week, a media storm erupted in Israel and the U.S. over an Arab League announcement that the Palestinians have agreed to the possibility of land swaps with Israel as opposed to a rigid conformation to the "Green Line" or pre-1967 borders.While Israeli officials such as Tzipi Livni, chief negotiator with the Palestinians,...
Official: Human trafficking probe at Saudi diplomat’s home
May 2nd, 20130 WASHINGTON - Federal authorities are investigating a potential case of human trafficking at the suburban Washington home of a Saudi diplomat, officials said Wednesday. Authorities were called Tuesday afternoon to an upscale neighborhood in McLean, Virginia, where they "removed two potential trafficking victims," U.S. Immigration and...First-ever West Bank marathon includes vigil for Boston victims, highlights Palestinians’ plight
Bethlehem, West Bank — Winding through the steep, narrow streets of Bethlehem in the West Bank, more than 650 runners braved the cold and rain as they tested their endurance in one of the oldest cities in the world. The Danish organisers of Sunday's race, Laerke Hein and Signe Fischer, worked with their Palestinian counterparts to...Lebanese drone scare grounds Netanyahu’s helicopter
BEIRUT - An Israeli fighter plane shot down a drone from Lebanon over the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday as it was approaching the Israeli coast, the military said.Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was inside an Israeli army helicopter when he was given the news of the drone, and was then forced to land until it was shot down.The unmanned...Syria says backing rebels risks new attacks on America
DAMASCUS - U.S. support for Syrian rebels may lead to more attacks on American soil like those of September 11, said a senior Syrian official who warned that Islamist fighters would spread "the fire of terrorism" around the world.Western powers are alarmed at al Qaeda militants joining a revolt that began two years ago with rallies for...Nearly 50 killed as sectarian violence flares in Iraq
MOSUL - Nearly 50 people were killed in clashes on Thursday here, sources said, on the third day of the most widespread violence in Iraq since U.S. troops withdrew in December 2011.More than 100 people have been killed in fighting since Tuesday, when troops stormed a Sunni protest camp, triggering clashes that quickly spread to other...Pressure builds up on Hizbullah to withdraw fighters from Syria
BEIRUT - Lebanon's Shi'a Hizbullah movement came under increasing pressure over accusations it is backing regime troops in Syria, as a rebel leader warned of the risk of sparking a sectarian war.Inside Syria soldiers seized a key town near Damascus from rebels following weeks of fierce clashes, a monitoring group said, and each side...Tehran accuses Amman of cooperating with al Qaeda and Israel against Syria
LONDON - Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, General Hassan Firouzabadi, has criticized the Jordan for its “cooperation with the al Qaeda terrorist organization and Israel against Syria,” and stressed that Amman’s policies are threatening the Muslim community.“Jordan’s opening of its borders to allow al Qaeda fighters...War of words intensifies: Iran says able to destroy Israel alone
TEHRAN — Iran's army "alone" is able to destroy Israel, army commander General Ataollah Salehi said on Thursday, responding to boasts by Israel that its military could attack its arch-foe on its own."Our message to this illegitimate regime (Israel) is the same, we do not need to utilize all of Iran's military forces," Salehi said on...Prospect of al Qaeda victory arouses fears among Syrians, West
A public dispute between two prominent Islamic fighting groups – one in Syria, the other in Iraq — has given Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad a moment of much-needed relief. Although it is too early to say for certain, we may be witnessing a crucial moment in his battered fortunes. Fears about the sort of regime that may come...Assad says West, Jordan will pay for backing al Qaeda in Syria
BEIRUT- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused the West on Wednesday of supporting al Qaeda militants in Syria's civil war and warned they would turn against their backers and strike "in the heart of Europe and the United States. "Assad also launched his strongest criticism yet of neighboring Jordan for allowing thousands of fighters...Report: More diplomacy, less pressure needed for Iran nuclear settlement
WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama should put more emphasis on diplomacy in its quest for a satisfactory resolution of Iran’s nuclear program, according to a major new report released by The Iran Project.Endorsed by nearly three dozen former top U.S. diplomatic, military, and intelligence officials, the report...Lavrov: Syria envoy Brahimi has ‘no choice’ but to resign
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby (L) listens to then UN-Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi speak during a news conference at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, March 18, 2013. REUTERSMOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has commented on reports of Arab League and UN envoy on Syria Lakhdar Brahimi’s......
Ian Henderson leaves behind a 40-year legacy of oppression in Bahrain
WASHINGTON — Ian Henderson’s death announcement Apr. 15 in Bahrain brings to an end the life of a British expatriate who was the architect and supervisor of the harsh internal security policies of the al-Khalifa ruling family since the early days of independence over 40 years ago.Henderson’s life’s work intertwined intimately...Tunisia now exporting “Jihadis”
TUNIS — Tunisian families have begun to dread knocks on their doors, or late-night phone calls, fearing that the messenger will bear the news that their son has been smuggled out of the country to join the “jihad” in Syria.Families here told IPS that they have no way of contacting their sons once they leave — whether by choice or......
Hacktivists to Israel: ‘Be ready for new larger surprises’
More than 100,000 Israeli websites have come under attack from Anonymous hacktivists around the world. Speaking to RT, a Middle East hacker explained the aims of the cyber assault on Israel's online presence.The websites of the Israeli parliament, banks, ministries and other government organizations were down for some time on Sunday...More candidates pull petitionsfor Dearborn municipality races
DEARBORN — The Dearborn municipality races are starting to take shape, with only one month to go before the deadline for candidates to pull petitions for the city's Mayor, City Council and City Clerk races.Previously announced Arab American candidates in the running for city council were Susan Dabaja, Tarek Baydoun, Mohamed Berro, and...Lebanon says rising cases of scabies, lice among Syrian refugees
BEIRUT - Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Wednesday cases of scabies and lice have increased among Syrian refugees and urged citizens to take precautionary measures.“The Health Ministry has recorded an increase in the number of scabies and lice cases, as a result of overpopulation and bad personal hygiene in locations where Syrian...Iraqi al Qaeda wing merges with Syrian counterpart
DUBAI — Iraq's al Qaeda wing has united with a kindred Syrian group in the frontline of a struggle to oust President Bashar al-Assad, sharpening a dilemma for nations that back the revolt, but fear rising Islamist militancy.The leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, said his group had trained and funded fighters......
Assad to Arab League: He who lacks legitimacy cannot grant it
DAMASCUS — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has lashed out at the Arab League and its decision to hand Syria's seat to the opposition, saying the body "lacks legitimacy," according to comments published on Thursday."The Arab League lacks legitimacy. It's a League that represents the Arab states, not the Arab people, so it can't grant...
Syria lurches toward ‘war of the rebels’
April 5th, 20130 BEIRUT - As Syria's civil war grinds on, major differences are emerging between Islamist and secular rebel forces, raising fears that the defining conflict will be a showdown between these forces rather than battling the Damascus regime.There are growing fears that the country will be divided in a war between north and south, a split......
Turkey’s unsustainable politics in the Middle East: Israel vs. the rest
'Confused’ may be an appropriate term to describe Turkey’s current foreign policy in the Middle East and Israel in particular. The source of that confusion - aside from the appalling violence in Syria and earlier in Libya – is Turkey’s own mistakes.The Turkish government’s inconsistency regarding Israel highlights earlier...Arab League Summit: Doha calls the shots
DOHA — In its drive to bring about the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Qatar succeeded in granting the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) Damacus’ seat at the March 26 Arab League Summit in Doha.It didn’t matter that SNC president Moaz al-Khatib had resigned or the president of the opposition transitional......
