Obama calls for end of Syrian regime

President Barack Obama on Tuesday condemned as “unacceptable” Syria’s continuing crackdown on protesters and repeated his call for President Bashar al-Assad’s government to leave power. (more…)

GCC tells Iran to ‘stop meddling in its internal affairs

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council called on arch rival Iran on Tuesday to stop meddling in the internal affairs of the group’s members.

“Stop these policies and practices … and stop interfering in the internal affairs” of the Gulf nations, said a statement released at the end of the GCC annual summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (more…)

Syria plays for time but deaths continue

Beirut, Lebanon – Syria said Sunday it is still negotiating with the Arab League over the bloc’s request to send observers into the country, as tightening sanctions by Arab and other nations fail to halt the eight-month crackdown on anti-government protesters. (more…)

‘Gunfire erupts on Syria-Jordan borders

Shots rang out at the Jordanian-Syrian border late Sunday as Syrian forces attempted to prevent civilians from entering the Kingdom, hours after an Arab League decision to impose sanctions on Damascus.

Syrian soldiers opened fire on a married couple and their young child as they attempted to enter the Kingdom late yesterday near the Jaber border crossing (more…)

At least 40 people killed Monday in Syria near Jordan border

At least 40 Syrians were killed in fighting on Monday between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and insurgents in a town near the border with Jordan, local activists said, in the first case of major armed resistance to Assad in the region. (more…)

Jordan’s King Abdullah urged Assad to resign

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Jordan’s King Abdullah said Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar Assad should step down, making him the first Arab ruler to issue such a call over the regime’s deadly crackdown on an 8-month-old uprising.
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Assad urged to take up offer of asylum in Arab world

Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has been urged to spare himself the grizzy fate of Col Muammar Gaddafi in Libya by taking up an offer of asylum elsewhere in the Arab world.

Arab nations promised $58b for reform

MARSEILLE, France – Wealthy countries and international lenders promised more money yesterday to encourage democratic changes in Arab nations, pledging at least $58 billion.

After Tunisia and Egypt ousted their authoritarian regimes this year, eight of the world’s most developed economies along with rich Arab countries (more…)

Salibi, a prominent Lebanese historian died at 82

Kamal Suleiman Salibi, a prominent Lebanese historian who taught at the American University of Beirut (AUB) for more than half a century, and an Honorary President (formerly, founding Director) of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies in Amman, Jordan, died in Beirut on Thursday aged 82, AUB announced. (more…)

Syrian security forces deploy on borders with Jordan

Al-Jazeera television reported on Sunday that Syrian security forces deployed heavily on Syria’s borders with Jordan.

Al-Jazeera quoted Eyewitness Abu Mohammad al-Hourani, who is located in Tal Chehab in Syria’s Daraa as saying: (more…)