Morocco to hold ‘early vote’ in mid-November

Morocco is to hold early parliamentary elections in mid-November after constitutional reforms passed in response to protests inspired by the Arab Spring, officials and party sources said Sunday.
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3 wounded near Ex- president Franjieh’s palace in Ehden

Bodyguards at former President Suleiman Franjieh’s palace in Ehden exchanged fire with a car in the palace’s surrounding, the National News Agency reported on Sunday. (more…)

Syrian gunboats fire on coastal city; 22 killed

Syrian gunboats firing heavy machine guns pounded impoverished districts of Latakia on Sunday, killing at least 22 people in a renewed assault on the Mediterranean coastal city, activists said. (more…)

Akkar MPs urge Bassil to quit

Akkar MPs Mouin al-Merhebi, Khaled Zahraman, Nidal Tohme and a representative for MP Khaled al-Daher held a meeting last night to discuss the electricity situation in Akkar, National News Agency reported.

MP Merhebi said in a statement that the participants called on Energy Minister Gebran Bassil to resignbecause of his failure (more…)

One of 5 inmates that escaped from Roumieh jail was captured

The Lebanese Armed Forces’ Directorate of Orientation said in a statement issued on Sunday that Medhat Hassan Khalil Ahmad , one of five inmates that escaped from Roumieh Prison was captured in North Lebanon .. (more…)

Crack within Lebanon’s new majority

Al Diyar newspaper reported that National Front Struggle parliamentary bloc leader MP Walid Jumblatt’s relationship with Prime Minister Nagib Mikati is on the rocks because Mikati proposed the electoral draft bill that calls for proportional representation without consulting him. (more…)

US, Saudi Arabia demand end to Syria violence

US president Barack Obama and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia have issued a joint call for the Syrian government to immediately halt the use of violence against its citizens.

Their call came as security forces continue to suppress protests against president Bashar al-Assad’s rule, reportedly killing nine people. (more…)

Opinion: Khamenei won’t support Assad to the end

Iran and Syria have long been allies, yet as if Khameni realizes Assad’s situation is not salvageable, he will abandon him. Khamenei is his friend, but he will not sink with Assad’s ship.

Turkey may intervene in Syria if violence continues

Turkish officials say an international intervention in Syria has not been ruled out, should Syrian government violence against its own citizens continue. (more…)

France tells its citizens to leave Syria immediately

France advised its citizens on Saturday to leave Syria immediately as security forces continue to clamp down on pro-democracy protests. (more…)