A series of bombings across Iraq has killed at least 12 people. Security and hospital sources say the deadliest attacks were in the northern province of Kirkuk, where four bombs killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more. Violence across Iraq is down sharply from its peak in 2006 and 2007. However, September was […]
France Recognizes New Syrian Opposition Coalition
Posted November 13th, 2012 at 7:00 pm (UTC-5)
France has become the first European country to recognize the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition and says it could consider arming the rebels. French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that the newly united rebel coalition is the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people and a future government of a democratic Syria. Mr. Hollande said […]
Syria Clashes Rage as Opposition Seeks Recognition
Posted November 13th, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
Deadly fighting continues in Syria, as Arab and European leaders urged the newly united opposition to seek broader support even after it was recognized by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Syrian air force bombed a rebel-held area near the border with Turkey for a second day […]
France Expresses Support for Syrian Opposition
Posted November 13th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
French officials have expressed their support for the new united Syrian opposition, but say it is too early to formally recognize the group. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Tuesday the group’s formation is a “significant” step, but that the coalition does not yet constitute a provisional government the international community can recognize. The […]
United Syrian Opposition Receives Limited Recognition
Posted November 12th, 2012 at 8:25 pm (UTC-5)
The Arab League has welcomed the formation of a new Syrian opposition group, but stopped short of giving it full recognition as the representative of the Syrian people. The League, meeting in Egypt, urged regional and international groups to recognize the new coalition. Earlier Monday, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council became the first to formally […]
Palestinian Militants Signal Truce as Rocket Strikes Continue
Posted November 12th, 2012 at 7:25 pm (UTC-5)
Palestinian militant groups say they are willing to declare a cease-fire if Israel is willing to do the same. Leaders of Hamas, the Islamist faction that controls Gaza, met with Islamic Jihad and other groups and said they would respond according to the way Israel acted. The offer came as Israeli officials are weighing a […]
United Syrian Opposition Seeks Recognition
Posted November 12th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
The leader of Syria’s newly united opposition headed to Arab League headquarters in Cairo seeking diplomatic recognition Monday, bolstered by a hard-won unity deal among the disparate factions. Ahmed Maath al-Khatib, a moderate Muslim cleric who quit Syria three months ago, was to be accompanied on his visit by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin […]
Syria on Arab League Agenda After Opposition Deal
Posted November 12th, 2012 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
Arab League officials are set to discuss the situation in Syria, following the formation of a new coalition uniting the factions fighting to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Arab League head Nabil El-Araby held talks with international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi ahead of Monday’s meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo. On Sunday, Syrian opposition groups elected […]
Moderate Syrian Cleric to Lead Opposition
Posted November 12th, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
Syrian opposition groups have elected a moderate cleric, Maath al-Khatib, to lead a new coalition uniting the various factions fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad. Khatib is a former imam at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus and was imprisoned several times for criticizing Mr. Assad’s rule before leaving Syria this year. Opposition members also voted […]
Moderate Syrian Cleric to Lead Opposition
Posted November 12th, 2012 at 1:20 am (UTC-5)
Syrian opposition groups have elected a moderate cleric, Maath al-Khatib, to lead a new coalition uniting the disparate factions fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad. Khatib is a former imam at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus and was imprisoned several times for criticizing Mr. Assad’s rule before leaving Syria this year. Opposition members also voted […]
