Iraq executes 11 prisoners for terror crimes
The Iraqi Ministry of Justice said it executed 11 convicts for terror crimes Thursday, two days after it announced the execution of 26 convicts, despite international calls for Baghdad to abolish the death penalty.
Syria's future should be decided by its people: Iranian president
The bloodshed in Syria must be stopped before its people could decide their own future in a free and fair election, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said here Thursday.
Reopening US embassy in Tehran not impossible: Iranian president
The friendship between Iran and the United States can be rebuilt if both sides make efforts and respect each other, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday night.
Not so rosy
A member of the charity Oxfam places a rose by a temporary gravestone in a demonstration against the war in Syria on the sidelines of the Geneva II peace talks in Montreux on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Icy exchanges at Syria peace talks
Syria’s government and opposition coalition came face to face for the first time at the UN-led peace talks in Switzerland on Wednesday, while experts widely predicted a negative outcome for the talks.
Turkey conducts new mass judicial purge
Turkey has reassigned almost 100 prosecutors and judges in a new purge as parliament began a debate on controversial government legislation to rein in the judiciary, local media reported Wednesday.
Crossfire seen between Syrian gov't, opposition in Geneva meeting
The first day of Geneva II conference saw clashes between Syria's government and the main political opposition, who sat down for talks Wednesday for the first time in three years.
Syria insists fighting terrorism as main goal of Geneva II
Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said Wednesday that many countries are unaware of the real image about what is going on in Syria, as he attended the sidelines of the opening session of the Geneva II.
Confidence, patience, persistence needed in Syria peace talks: Chinese FM
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said confidence, patience and persistence are needed in Syria peace talks.
France says diplomatic end to Syrian crisis "difficult" but necessary
French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius on Wednesday said it is estimated to be "difficult" to find a diplomatic alternative to end Syrian crisis, adding political talks are the only outlet to restore stability in the violence-torn country.