The Syrian government extended its intense aerial campaign against rebel-held areas of the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, conducting a series of airstrikes that killed at least 18 people, including five children, activists said. President Bashar Assad’s air force has pounded opposition areas of the divided city since mid-December, …

Algeria has agreed to provide planes to facilitate transportation of equipment and troops of the International Support Mission for Central African Republic (MISCA). MISCA is an intervention force under the African Union (AU) mandate charged with the responsibility of helping to restore security and stability in Central African Republic.

As the Pakistan government and the outlawed Taliban prepare for peace talks, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said he wants to overcome both terrorism within the country and outstanding issues with India through dialogue as peace is vital for reviving the country’s economy.

Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych who was hospitalized as tensions escalated between his government and the opposition is expected to return to work on Monday. The presidency confirmed his release from hospital on Sunday, four days after he was admitted with acute respiratory problems.

The Azerbaijani parliament ratified a visa facilitation agreement between Azerbaijan and EU on Feb.3. The agreement was signed during the EU summit in Vilnius in November 2013.

The European Union and the United States are planning a short-term financial assistance to Ukraine. “The EU and the United States are developing a plan – a Ukrainian Plan, I have suggested they call

Opening one negotiation chapter with Turkey during each six-month rotating presidency of theEuropean Union is not acceptable, Turkish EU Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said, ahead of a key official visit to Germany. 

On Wednesday the Armenian and Georgian defense ministries signed a military cooperation program for 2014. The delegation headed by Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Mikhail Darchiashvili, held meetings with Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and the First Deputy Minister David Tonoyan.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet leader of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, Ahmed al-Jarba, in Moscow Feb 4, the Russian foreign ministry said Friday.

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan arrived in Cairo on Thursday night ahead of scheduled talks with top Egyptian officials on Friday. Zeidan is scheduled to hold talks with Interim President Adly Mansour, Prime Minister