Rebels in western Libya have captured a massive arms depot from forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi, boosting critical resupply efforts and fueling an opposition push toward the capital, Tripoli. Hundreds of rebel fighters Tuesday combed through the weapons cache, a portion of which had exploded following NATO bombing. But much remained intact, and a […]
Yemen Clashes Kill 9 Islamists Near Zinjibar
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 5:30 pm (UTC-5)
Yemeni officials say government forces have killed nine Islamist fighters in clashes near the southern city of Zinjibar, the capital of volatile Abyan province. A military spokesman said Tuesday that four other militants, also associated with al-Qaida, were injured in the fighting. Separately, the Associated Press reported that Yemeni government warplanes and artillery pounded several […]
Saudi Plans Troop Reduction in Bahrain
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia plans to withdraw some of its 1,000 soldiers who entered Bahrain in mid-March to help the Gulf island bring calm amid anti-government demonstrations. Media reports from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday say the pullout will begin next week, but do not specify how many troops will leave. Bahrain is connected to Saudi […]
Iran: US Sanctions Preventing Iranian Planes From Refueling
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
Iran says U.S. economic sanctions against the country have made it harder for the national Iranian airline to refuel its planes abroad, a situation Tehran calls “inhumane.” Several Western companies have stopped selling fuel to Iran Air planes at European airports in recent months to comply with U.S. sanctions prohibiting the export of refined gasoline […]
Egyptian Court Orders Dissolution of Mubarak-Era Local Councils
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
An Egyptian court has ordered the dissolution of the country’s municipal councils, which were elected under ousted President Hosni Mubarak and dominated by his supporters. The Cairo administrative court issued the ruling Tuesday in response to complaints by citizens who accuse the councils of being corrupt. Mr. Mubarak’s now-dissolved National Democratic Party won more than […]
NATO Says Not Scaling Down Libya Operation
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
NATO’s commander for the Libya operation says the allied force is not scaling down its airstrikes despite calls from some nations for a pause in the operation. Canadian Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard said the mission, entering its fourth month, has made “significant progress” and that attacks on civilians by Libyan government forces have lessened. The […]
Russia Urges Syria to Implement ‘Real’ Reforms
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
A Russian envoy says Moscow wants Syria to implement “real” reforms and “put an end to violence” that has shaken the country since the start of a pro-democracy uprising in March. Mikhail Margelov made the comments after meeting with a group of exiled Syrian opposition activists in the Russian capital on Tuesday. The activists urged […]
International Prosecutor Wants Libya to Arrest Gadhafi
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
The International Criminal Court’s top prosecutor demanded Tuesday that aides to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi arrest him and hand him to the court for trial. Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s remarks Tuesday came after The Hague-based court issued arrest warrants Monday for Mr. Gadhafi and two top lieutenants on war crimes charges linked to their suppression of an […]
Yemen Welcomes UN Human Rights Mission
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
Yemen says it welcomes a United Nations mission set to arrive Tuesday to investigate human rights issues in the country following months of anti-government protests. The state news agency says Yemen’s Human Rights Ministry will provide whatever help is necessary as mission members meet with government officials and other political figures. The United Nations said […]
Iran Says Longer-Range Missiles Possible, Unnecessary
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said the country has the capability to build longer-range missiles, but has no need to do so since its current missiles can reach U.S. and Israeli targets. Iranian state media on Tuesday quoted commander Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh as saying Iran’s missiles have a maximum range of 2,000 kilometers based on […]
