Army strike, attacks kill 23 in Iraq
The Iraqi army carried out an offensive against militants north of the capital Baghdad, killing 14 of them, while nine people died in attacks across the country, security sources said on Sunday.
Kerry eager to advance peace talks between Israel, Palestinians
US Secretary of State John Kerry is pressuring Israel and the Palestinians to reach a framework agreement until April, the Ha'aretz daily reported on Sunday.
Syrian refugees total over 902,000 in Lebanon
The United Nations Higher Council for Refugees said Sunday that it has registered more than 50,000 Syrian refugees to Lebanon during the month of January, bringing the number of refugees accounted by the agency to over 902,000.
UN chief slams deadly car bombing in Lebanon
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday strongly condemned a deadly car bombing in northeastern Lebanon, saying "the recent escalation in acts of terrorism and violence in Lebanon is of grave concern."
Abbas, Hamas official meet on reconciliation
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a senior Islamic Hamas movement leader met here Saturday on Palestinian reconciliation.
US seeks to negotiate with Syrian gov't delegation in Geneva: report
Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem said Saturday that Washington demanded to negotiate with the Syrian government delegation during the Geneva II conference, adding that the government has rejected the demand, the official SANA news agency reported.
733 people killed in Iraq's violence in January: UN
A total of 733 Iraqis were killed in violent attacks in Iraq in January, according to a statement issued Saturday by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Syrian negotiations should be truly representative: Russian FM
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday all parties should work to ensure the Syrian peace talks were truly representative and reflect the whole spectrum of Syrian society.
Lebanon suicide bombing kills 5, Al Nusra Front claims responsibility
A suicide car bombing hit a gas station in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa town of Hermel on Saturday, leaving five people dead and 18 others injured. The Al Nusra Front in Lebanon has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Syria crisis high on agenda at Munich Security Conference
The Syria crisis is high on the agenda at the ongoing Munich Security Conference, as the first round of the Geneva II peace talks between Syrian warring sides ended Friday without any agreement.