The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan are to have a discussion in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on a deepening crisis over sharing their oil wealth. When South Sudan became the independent state last July, Sudan lost most of its oil fields. But the export pipelines go through Sudan, which has seized some $815m in oil revenue, accusing the south of not paying transit fees. South Sudan last week said it reduced oil production, accusing Sudan of "stealin... Read more »

The PA leader Mahmoud Abbas has said the exploratory talks with Israel on resuming full peace negotiations have been over without any progress. After a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman, Mr Abbas told reporters that he would discuss next steps with the Arab League next week. Both Israel and the Palestinians have been under international pressure to resume negotiations on a two-state solution, bbc.co.uk reported.

Egypt's military council said the country's decades-old state of emergency is lifted today except in cases of fighting "thuggery," and rights groups already call the move as cosmetic. "I have taken a decision to end the state of emergency, in all parts of the country, except in fighting acts of thuggery, starting on the morning of January 25, 2012," Middle-east-online.com. quoted the head of ruling military council Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi as saying. T... Read more »

At least five people have been killed in heavy fighting in the Libyan town of Bani Walid. The battle erupted between fighters still loyal to the ex-leader Muammar Gaddafi and forces supporting the country's transitional government. Mohamed Bashir, the town's mayor, told that forces loyal to the National Transitional Council had pulled out of the town at 7pm local time after about four hours of fire until the Gaddafi-era Libyan green flag had been raised ove... Read more »

Yemen's President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has left the country to fly to the US for medical treatment. In his "farewell speech" broadcast on TV he asked for forgiveness for "any shortcomings" during his 33-year presidency. His departure came a day after the parliament approved a law giving him immunity from prosecution. The president had flown out of the country yesterday bound for neighbouring Oman, from where he is expected to leave for the US. Washington sa... Read more »