Ousted Tunisian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in a coma

The former Tunisian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali is in a coma in hospital in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke two days ago, according to French agencies.

The 74-year-old, who fled to Saudi Arabia last month after a people’s uprising, was said to be in a grave condition. (more…)

U.S. takes cautious line on Fifth Fleet’s base

Unrest in Bahrain is putting the future of a key U.S. ally in doubt, a microcosm of how the Middle East’s roiling political landscape is challenging U.S. policy in the region. (more…)

Financial inflows into Lebanon fell to $17 billion in 2010

Financial inflows into Lebanon fell to $17.036 billion in 2010, down by 17.5 percent compared to 2009, according to Bank Audi Weekly Monitor. (more…)

Siddiq: Amal Movement MP Ali Hassan Khalil is “Mr. X”

Former Syrian intelligence operative Mohammad Zuhair Siddiq revealed to VOL on Thursday that Amal Movement MP Ali Hassan Khalil is “Mr. X”

The 2005 United Nations International Independent Commission (UNIIC) report about the Rafik Hariri murder cited an intercepted phone conversation between Mr. X—who was rumored to be a Lebanese official—speaking to former Syrian military intelligence chief in Lebanon Brigadier Rustom Ghazali. (more…)

Egypt: Iran asks for warships to pass Suez Canal

Two Iranian naval vessels have submitted a request to transit the Suez Canal, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Israel has expressed concerns over the plans, labeling them a “provocation.” (more…)

Siddiq: Mps Sami, Nadim Gemayel are facing a real threat

Former Syrian intelligence operative Mohammad Zuhair Siddiq told VOL that he is concerned about the safety of MPs Sami Gemayel and Nadim Gemayel because they are facing a real threat, adding “Israel is not the side thinking about assassinating them.” (more…)

Libyans in US allege coercion

In an apparent effort to control the public narrative in the wake of rare protests that have spread throughout Libya, the country’s government is threatening to withdraw scholarship funding from citizens studying in the US unless they attend pro-government rallies in Washington this weekend, Al Jazeera has learned. (more…)

Egypt: Arrests of 4 Mubarak ex-ministers ordered

Egyptian prosecutors have ordered the arrest of a former ruling party official and three ministers from deposed strongman Hosni Mubarak’s government, including its onetime interior minister, the state news agency MENA announced Thursday. (more…)

Hariri: We cannot build a nation like this

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Thursday that it is unacceptable that arms are being used as a tool to pressure political life in Lebanon. (more…)

Gaddafi turns helicopter gunships on own people

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime turned helicopter gunships and snipers on protesters killing up to 19 people yesterday as rare anti-government demonstrations were last night reported to have reached Tripoli, the capital. (more…)