Bashar Alassad
latest news & developments
Syria faces ‘castastrophic civil war’: UN’s Ban
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned that Syria risks a ”catastrophic civil war” following a massacre that sparked global outrage.
Washington committed to seeking Syria-Israel deal
The United States told the Syrian government on Thursday it was committed to seeking a peace deal between Syria and Israel.
Human rights group calls for Syria to scrap ‘kangaroo court’
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday urged Syria to abolish its repressive security court, a ”kangaroo court” whose verdicts cannot be appealed.
Decree to end Damascus isolation
Tensions have risen in recent weeks after thousands of Syrian troops were deployed close to the Lebanese border.
Syria to expand military ties with Russia
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday he would use this week’s visit to Russia to expand military ties with Moscow.
Top al-Assad aide assassinated at Syrian resort
The mysterious assassination of a top Syrian army officer and right-hand man to President Bashar al-Assad has triggered intense speculation.
France launches Med Union with high hopes
Europe, North Africa and the Middle East launched the Union for the Mediterranean on Sunday pledging cooperation on water, energy and education.
At least one killed in blast in Lebanon
At least one person was killed and six injured on Saturday in a powerful blast that shook a residential building in the Lebanese city of Tripoli.
Bush appeasement slur angers Democrats
United States President George Bush used a visit to Israel on Thursday to denounce Democratic party offers to negotiate with America’s enemies in the Middle East as comparable to…
Carter meets Hamas chief in Syria
Former United States president Jimmy Carter met Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus on Friday for talks expected to focus on ways to include the Islamist group in efforts to…
Bush to make first presidential visit to Israel
United States President George Bush is to embark on a week-long tour of the Middle East in the new year to nudge Israelis and Palestinians towards an end to their decades-long…
Arab leaders in Egypt ahead of peace meeting
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was hosting a summit with the Palestinian and Jordanian leaders on Thursday as Arab foreign ministers mull whether to join a United…
Turkish Parliament approves military action in Iraq
The Turkish Parliament Wednesday voted to allow military strikes against Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, despite stiff United States opposition and appeals from Baghdad for…
Syria accuses Israeli jets of bombing its territory
Syria accused Israel on Thursday of bombing its territory and warned it could respond, but Israel Radio carried a denial there had been an air strike. The official Syrian news…