Israel’s new ambassador to Egypt, Yaakov Amitai, arrived in Cairo yesterday. In his interview to local journalists in Arabic Amitai said that he “hopes to further the peace between the two countries” after a strain in ties over the past few months. Israeli authorities have expressed deep concern over the crushing victory of Islamist parties in the first round of Egypt’s parliamentary elections last week. But Amitai is sure that peace between the two neighbo... Read more »

Iraq's prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has arrived in Washington D.C. to open a "new chapter" in US-Iraqi relations as American forces complete their planned withdrawal. Mr al-Maliki to meet US President Barack Obama on Monday as part of two days of negotiations. The visit comes amid concerns for the stability and security in Iraq as US forces leave after an eight-year presence. US troops are due to complete their pullout by the end of the year, bbc.co.uk re... Read more »

At least five French UN peacekeepers and one Lebanese civilian have been injured by an explosion in the south Lebanon area Bourj al-Shamali. A Unifil spokesman said it was investigating the incident in co-operation with the Lebanese militaries. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, immediately condemned the violence act. "Lebanon considers these attacks as targeting its own security and stability, not only Unifil," bbc.co.uk quotes premier’s statement as ... Read more »

Bahrain has permitted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to let in its prisons to following a damning report on human rights abuse in the country. Delegates from the ICRC are allowed "to visit inmates at its reformation and rehabilitation centres, as well as detention centres”. Permission was granted to the Red Cross n line with a memorandum of understanding which was signed on Thursday. "The Red Cross will also hold training courses on hum... Read more »

Violence across the Israeli-Gaza border escalated today with Israeli air strikes killing at least three and Palestinian groups firing rockets into southern Israeli city of Beersheba. The latest round of fighting erupted yesterday when an Israeli air forces stroke a car on a crowded Gaza street, killing two militants. Tel-Aviv said were planning attacks against its civilians and military. Early today, Palestinian medical officials said a second Israeli air s... Read more »

Egypt's ministers have been sworn. The key post of interior minister going to Cairo ex-police chief Mohammed Ibrahim Yusuf.The ruling military council also handed presidential powers to interim prime minister Kamal al-Ganzouri, but kept control of military affairs. Mr Ganzouri's appointment caused violent protests last month. In the wake of the unrest, Amnesty International organization has called on the US to stop the export of tear gas to Egypt, bbc.co.uk... Read more »

Kuwaiti emir has dissolved the country's parliament. Last week, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah accepted the resignation of the government amid a growing scandal in the Gulf state over corruption allegations. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Sabah had been due to be questioned in parliament about the alleged bribery of pro-government MPs.
Earlier this month, protesters attacked parliament after the government tried to prevent him facing question... Read more »

Damascus has responded "positively" to an Arab League plan aimed at ending eight months of deadly unrest. Foreign ministry spokesman Jihad al-Makdisi told reporters that he expected a deal to be signed soon. He spoke after the expiry of the deadline set by the Arab League for Bashar al-Assad to agree to its peace deal and allow in observers to monitor it. Syria is under pressure to stop its crackdown on demonstrations the UN says has left more than 4,000 pe... Read more »

The Palestinian bid for membership of the United Nations, launched in September, has hit a dead end and left the major powers wondering if its government has a strategy. President Mahmud Abbas shows no sign of calling for a vote on the application for full membership at the UN Security Council and there has been no followup to membership in other international agencies after getting acceptance by UNESCO. But many experts call the bid campaign a failure. "Th... Read more »

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has urged Israel to "mend fences" with Turkey, Egypt and other countries of the Middle East to stop its growing isolation. Speaking in Washington, he said Tel-Aviv was not entirely to blame, referring to an "international campaign" to isolate it. He added that Israel's security remained important for the US and they would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, Bbc.co.uk reported.