Exile becoming a realistic possibility for Syria’s Assad

The United States, European governments and Arab states have begun discussing the possibility of exile for Bashar al-Assad despite skepticism the defiant Syrian president is ready to consider such an offer, Western officials said on Wednesday. (more…)

Yemen’s Saleh leaves Sanaa asks people for forgiveness

Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen’s outgoing president, who announced during a farewell speech that he will go the US for medical treatment has left the capital, a presidency official told the AFP news agency.

“The Yemeni president left Sanaa one hour ago,” the official said without specifying Saleh’s destination. (more…)

Yemeni president no longer seeks U.S. trip

Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh will not travel to the U.S. for medical treatment and will instead remain in his country, a senior official from the ruling party said Wednesday.
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Iran commander says Egypt turning into ‘new Iran’

The commander of Iran’s elite Quds force said Thursday the revolutionary fervor sweeping Egypt and other Arab countries has given birth to “new Irans” that share anti-US sentiment.

“A number of major (new) Irans have been born in the region today. Egypt is a (new) Iran, whether you accept it or not,” (more…)

Yemen’s Saleh was slippery master of maneuvering

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who agreed Wednesday to step down after a ferocious uprising against him, was perhaps the slipperiest leader in the Middle East.

Yemeni protesters urge Arab League to suspend Yemen too

As the Arab League meets in Morocco to formalize their decision earlier this week to suspend Syria, anti-regime protesters are urging the league to do the same in Yemen. (more…)

Arab League Votes to Suspend Syria

The Arab League voted Saturday to suspend Syria and warned that the country could face sanctions if it did not end its crackdown against anti-government protesters.

The decision was a symbolic blow to a nation that prides itself on being a powerhouse of Arab nationalism. (more…)

Interior minister named Saudi Arabia’s new crown prince

Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s interior minister, has been named the new crown prince of the key oil-producing nation, ascending at a time of regional turmoil amid the populist Arab Spring movement and simmering international issues involving Iran and other neighbors. (more…)

Yemen’s president says will step down in coming days

Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh said Saturday he would step down in “the coming days” after months of protests against his 33-year rule that risked tipping the dirt-poor country into civil war, but the government said his exit was not imminent.
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Yemen: Anwar al-Awlaki, top Al Qaeda figure killed

Al Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki, one of the most wanted terrorists on a U.S. target list, has been killed in Yemen, according to a statement issued by the country’s defense ministry. (more…)