Bachmann pushes Obama to apologize to Israel’s PM for candid comments caught on an open mic

Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann called on President Barack Obama Tuesday to apologize to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an unflattering exchange caught on an open microphone at a summit in France last week. (more…)

Sarkozy tells Rai: The regime in Syria is over

French President Nicolas Sarkozy reportedly told the visiting Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, who fears for the future of minorities in Syria, that “the regime in Syria is over,” adding, “this is a certainty, and not an expectation. (more…)

Rai, Sarkozy to discuss ways to protect Lebanon, Syria Christians

Maronite Patriarch Mar Bishara Boutros al Rai , who traveled to France to meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy and French officials took with him a study on the situation of Christians in Lebanon that includes 5 items, all relating to the protection of Christians in Lebanon and the reflection of the crisis in Syria on the Christians of Lebanon and Syria, Al Diyar newspaper reported. (more…)

Al Qaeda commander calls for Islamic rule in Libya

A top Libyan al Qaeda commander has urged his countrymen to overthrow Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s regime and establish Islamic rule, expanding the terror network’s attempts to capitalize on the wave of unrest sweeping the region. (more…)

Gaddafi forces advance closer to rebel capital Benghazi

Libyan rebels on Sunday retreated from another key town under heavy shelling from government forces as Muammar Gaddafi loyalists swept closer towards the main opposition-held city of Benghazi. (more…)

US backs Arab League’s call for Libya no-fly zone

The United States backed a call by the Arab League for a United Nations no-fly zone over Libya, as government troops backed by warplanes fought to drive rebels from remaining strongholds in western Libya. (more…)

Gates: U.S. could enforce no-fly zone in Libya if Obama ordered one

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Saturday that the U.S. military, already fighting two wars in Muslim nations, would have no trouble enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya if President Obama orders one.

The comments appeared designed to counter the criticism surrounding his earlier remarks on the issue and came as the Arab League endorsed a no-fly zone to protect Libya’s civilians (more…)

Zuma tells Gaddafi: Stop killing innocent civilians

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has sent a tough message to Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi – freezing his government’s assets in South Africa and telling him to “stop killing innocent civilians”.

The Department of International Relations and Co-operation yesterday confirmed that the government had written to financial institutions, private agencies and state departments ordering the “verification and freezing” of assets belonging to Gaddafi and his close (more…)

Gaddafi dad facial cosmetic surgery to avoid signs of aging

Muammar al-Gaddafi the strongman of Libya who has been orchestrating attacks on rebels from Ras Lanuf to Benghazi underwent cosmetic surgery in 1995 in order to avoid appearing old to his countrymen.

According to a prominent Brazilian cosmetic surgeon he operated on Gaddafi 16 years ago in order to give him a more youthful look. (more…)

Al-Jazeera cameraman killed in eastern Libya

Al-Jazeera says a cameraman for the pan-Arab satellite station has been killed near the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

It was the first death of a journalist since the Libyan uprising began on Jan. 15. (more…)