Some Syrians despair, consider armed confrontation

When Syrian security forces entered the home of 42-year-old Hama resident Abu Zeid and put a gun to the stomach of his 8-year-old son, armed confrontation against the government of President Bashar Assad suddenly became a more imaginable option for the Syrian man. (more…)

Flood of WikiLeaks cables includes identities of dozens of informants

A torrent of leaked U.S. diplomatic cables obtained by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks has been published in the last few days, with at least 170 of them naming sources whose identity was meant to be protected, according to an analysis of the documents by CNN. (more…)

Lebanon to attend Paris conference on Libya

Lebanon will attend a “Friends of Libya” meeting in Paris this week to discuss the African country’s future without strongman Moamer Kadhafi, a government official said Wednesday.
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Syria may have tortured prisoners to death, report

The London-based human rights group Amnesty International says dozens of people including children have died behind bars in Syria over the past five months. Some of them were reportedly tortured to death for taking part in anti-government protests. (more…)

Lebanon backs Syria in rejecting AL statement over bloodshed

Lebanon on Wednesday backed Syria in rejecting an Arab League statement demanding an end to the bloodshed in the country.

“Lebanon stands by brotherly Syria and its stance is clear in this regard,” Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour told the Hezbollah-run al Nour radio station. (more…)

UK Releases £1bn Of Libyan Bank Notes

The UK is to release almost £1bn of Libyan currency to the country’s central bank after the move was approved by the United Nations. (more…)

Syrian Forces Kill 10 as Eid Festival Begins

Activists say Syrian troops have killed at least ten people — including a 13-year-old boy — emerging from mosques on the first day of the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. (more…)

Libya conflict: Why did Algeria take the Gaddafis?

As the hunt for Muammar Gaddafi continues, Algeria has given the fugitive Libyan leader’s wife and three of his children refuge.

The move exposes it to accusations of siding with the fallen autocrat – and to the anger of Libya’s leaders in waiting. (more…)

Growing hints of rivalry over who will govern Libya

Fighters from the western mountain city of Zintan control the airport. Fighters from Misrata guard the central bank, the port and the prime minister’s office, where their graffiti has relabeled the historic plaza “Misrata Square.” Berbers from the mountain town of Yaffran took charge of the city’s central square, where they spray-painted “Yaffran Revolutionaries.” (more…)

Rebel council gives ultimatum to Sirte, Gaddafi’s home town

Libya’s rebel leadership said Tuesday that ­forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi will face a crushing military assault if they fail to meet a Saturday deadline to surrender the pockets of the country that they still control. (more…)