Erdogan visits opposition party headquarters first time in 18 years
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the opposition CHP party headquarters on Tuesday, the first time in 18 years, after his party's dramatic defeat in the March local elections.Erdogan last visited the party in 2006 when he was prime minister.The one-and-a-half-hour meeting between Erdogan and CHP leader Ozgur...
West Libya defends naming of new PM
An influential figure in western Libya, Mechri accused Dbeibah's government of "fueling a campaign against the parliament and the HCS".
Lebanon bars Bahrain opposition from holding Beirut events
On Thursday, Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said he was banning ‘two events’ organized by Bahraini opposition figures.
Libya parliament names second PM to rival existing one
Libya faced the challenge of two prime ministers on Thursday after parliament named a rival to the existing unity government's chief Abdulhamid Dbeibah, hours after his convoy was targeted in a shooting. The appointment of a second prime minister threatens to spark a new power struggle in the country.Tunisia president dissolves top judicial watchdog
Kais Saied has concentrated all executive power since July 25, when he dismissed his Prime Minister and suspended parliament.
Iran nuclear talks requires ‘political decisions’
Diplomats meet in the Austrian capital to revive the 2015 deal involving Iran, the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.
Erdogan vows punishment over alleged insult by journalist
"This offence will not go unpunished," Erdogan said in an interview aired on private television channel NTV.
Tunisia launches national consultation to make new constitution
Eligible topics include electoral, economic, financial, social, developmental, health, education and cultural affairs.Tunisia in ‘uncertainty’ as president pushes new constitution
Tunisian President Kais Saied is preparing to ask the public for their thoughts on a new constitution.
Libya PM back in position after election postponed
The election, set for December 24, was meant to be the culmination of UN-led efforts to drag Libya out of a decade of conflict.
Saudi king asks Iran to end ‘negative behavior’ in the region
King Salman said, ‘We hope (Iran) changes its policy and negative behavior in the region, and it heads towards dialogue and cooperation. We are following with great concern the Iranian regime's destabilizing policy to security and safety in the region.’
Residents in frustration and unease over Libya poll delay
The poll was meant to take place just over a year after a landmark east-west ceasefire. The delay will be a disappointment to some 2.5 million Libyans who had collected their voter cards, out of a population of 7 million.
Arab League chief urges cooperation to achieve successful Libya elections
Aboul Ghaith pointed to the dangerous juncture that Libya is going through, and said that everyone should join hands and cooperate to achieve Electoral entitlement soon.UN chief criticizes Lebanon leaders during his visit
Lebanon is in the throes of an economic meltdown that has been called by the World Bank as among the planet's worst since the 1850s. The crisis is widely blamed on nepotism and corruption among the country's ruling class.
Tunisia protests on revolution anniversary as economy spirals
Many Tunisians are tired of a system that is seen as graft-ridden and ineffective, and have welcomed the protests.
Political divisions, lack of candidates’ list cast shadow on Libya polls
Libya is to hold its first-ever presidential elections late next week, but the lack of a final list of candidates and bitter political divisions have cast doubt on whether they will take place. Polling was intended to mark a transition towards peace, but many now fear it could instead reignite...
Netherlands to help Unesco fund Lebanon media to cover polls
The Netherlands will provide support to the Lebanese media to ensure access to and delivery of reliable information for voters.Three Lebanese judges resign over ‘political meddling’
A probe into the Beirut port explosion has exposed the extent of such interference, with top officials mounting court challenges to obstruct the work of lead investigator Tarek Bitar.
Qatar will act on US interest in Afghanistan
The Gulf country has played a significant role both in diplomacy and evacuations as the US ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan.Despite dangers, Iraqi Kurds crossing borders to reach Europe
About 3,000 Kurds have left the region in the past three months, of whom 1,600 have gone to Belarus on tourist visas, according to the Kurdistan Refugee Association.
Meta to tweak ad policy
Meta ads will not consider race, religion, sexuality, or political party.Lebanon elite united against probe seen as survival threat
Lebanon's political parties seem united in rejecting an investigation into Beirut's massive port explosion that they fear could threaten their survival. Politicians have repeatedly obstructed the work of judge Tarek Bitar by refusing to show up for questioning, filing legal complaints against him, or calling for his dismissal.In Iraq vote, big blocs lurk behind ‘independents’
A new electoral law in Iraq will mean that when Iraqis go to the polls on Sunday, they will vote for individuals rather than parties. This is the country’s fifth election since the US toppled the Saddam Hussien regime in 2003.‘Apathy and despair’ as Iraq looks to October election
The polls were initially scheduled for 2022, but moved forward to June this year, then postponed to October.
Lebanon gets new govt amidst economic turmoil
Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati signed Friday the decree to form the new government, bringing to an end the 13 months-long deadlock that had hampered the formation of a cabinet.
Iran slams US for ‘addiction’ to sanctions, ‘dead end’ policies
Foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said President Joe Biden was following the same "dead end" policies as Donald Trump. Khatibzadeh’s remarks came a day after the US Treasury announced financial sanctions against four Iranians accused of planning the kidnapping in the US of an American journalist of Iranian descent.Lebanon leaders, central bank lock horns over fuel subsidies
In a country suffering from one of the worst economic crises in the world, this could effectively raise prices for fuel, amid its shortage.
UAE opens embassy in Tel Aviv in latest normalization move
The UAE opened an embassy in Israel on Wednesday in Tel Aviv's new stock exchange building as part of the latest normalization move under a deal brokered by Washington last year.
Egypt law approves dismissal of anti-govt public workers
Egypt's parliament on Monday authorised the dismissal of public workers listed as government opponents and "terrorists", lawmakers said.
Morocco’s foreign minister, Libyan officials meet
Germany will host peace talks later this month in Berlin Libya is seeking to extricate itself from a decade of chaos and conflict that followed the toppling of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in the 2011 NATO-backed uprising Searching for a political solution to the troubled country of Libya may not be...Is Algeria on right track to end its fiscal woes?
Algeria continues to face important challenges posed by the fall in oil prices four years ago. Despite a sizeable fiscal consolidation in 2017, the fiscal and current account deficits remain large. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth slowed sharply, mainly driven by a contraction in hydrocarbon production, although growth in...Continued Downfall of Slim Riahi
For Slim Riahi, the fall of 2017 is gradually turning into a nightmare. It’s clearly his black autumn. Coming under the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies for more than six months, the business tycoon is slowly withdrawing from public life and isolating himself — probably against his will. At the...
