Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr, an influential player in national politics, said he was "freezing" for a year his powerful movement over "sinful" practices among supporters. Sadr, a Muslim Shiite leader, has the ability to mobilize tens of thousands of his supporters with a single message and presents himself as an...
Israeli government approves formation of a national guard
The Israeli government approved a decision to form a national guard, officials said, which opponents warn would function as a "private militia" of firebrand National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. A statement from Ben-Gvir's office said the guard, which would operate under his ministry, would deal with "emergency scenarios, nationalistic crime,...
Lebanon MPs fail for sixth time to elect president
Lebanese lawmakers failed for a sixth time to elect a successor to former president Michel Aoun, whose mandate expired last month. Parliament is split between supporters of the powerful Hezbollah movement and its opponents, neither of whom have a clear majority. Lawmaker Michel Moawad won the support of 43 of...
Tunisia freezes bank accounts of Ghannouchi, opposition figures
A Tunisian court on Tuesday froze the bank accounts of several key opponents to President Kais Saied, including Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party. The Tunisian Financial Analysis Committee issued a statement informing banks they must "immediately implement the ruling from the investigating judge of the anti-terrorism pole".
