Twelve die in Israel Gaza raids

At least 12 Palestinians - including militants and civilians - have been killed in Israeli raids in Gaza, Palestinian medical officials say. About nine Palestinians - mostly militants - were killed after Israeli tanks moved into Gaza City. One of the civilians was a 12-year-old boy. Three...

Blair becomes Middle East envoy

Tony Blair is to become a Middle East envoy working on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU. The announcement came just hours after he stood down as UK prime minister and shortly before it was announced he was to quit as a member of parliament. Mr Blair said a "solution"...

مرثية فتح الإسلام

الاهداء : الى روح الشاعر الأندلسي (أبو الطيب الرندي ) صاحب المرثية الأندلسية الشهيرة . لبنان إن طلب الشرقي عنوان لبنان إن طلب الغربي أعوان نار على( بارد)...

It's Up to Hamas Now :By David Makovsky

Hamas will be more decisive than any other actor -- including the United States -- in determining whether it is isolated or not. The militant movement must now decide whether it will govern responsibly or remain mired in violence. Some of those who criticized the United States and the...

Lebanese dread rumored closure of Syrian border

Industrialists, farmers and economists on Thursday warned that Lebanon will suffer grave economic consequences if Syria shuts down the border crossings . " Most of Lebanon' s agricultural exports go through Syria and if Damascus decided to close all crossing points than we will be...

Wahhabi opponent killed in Iran

A Shia cleric known for his stance against Wahhabism, a strict version of Sunni Islam, has been killed in the south-western Iranian city of Ahwaz. Reports said Hojjat ol-Eslam Hesham Seymari was shot dead in his home at night by two men claiming to know him. Wahhabism is practised...

Mid-East group debates Blair role

The Quartet of Middle East mediators from the EU, Russia, the UN and US has discussed the appointment of Tony Blair as special envoy for the region. It is expected that Mr Blair will be offered the job after he steps down as UK prime minister on Wednesday. It was the Quartet's first...