US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad could take credit for quickly starting the process of destroying his government’s chemical weapons arsenal, and thanked Russia for its help. “The process has begun in record time and we are appreciative for the Russian cooperationand 

EU interior and justice ministers, during their meeting in Luxembourg Tuesday, had an in-depth discussion on Syria with particular reference to the protection of refugees, said the ministers in a statement tonight.

Islamic extremists have taken the offensive around Gao in north Mali, wounding two civilians Tuesday when they blew up a bridge, a day after shelling the town and injuring a soldier. “Early this Tuesday, Islamists dynamited one of two small bridges near … Bentia, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the border …

The death toll from weekend clashes between Islamists and police has reached 57, a senior Egyptian health ministry official announced on Tuesday. Khaled al-Khatib said that 48 people died in Cairo and nine in other parts of the country. Authorities had previously given a toll of 51.

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan arrived, on Tuesday in Tunis, from Morocco for a short visit as part of a Maghreb tour. Ali Zeidan was seen in at Tunis-Carthage airport by his opposite number Ali larayedh.

The Algerian government said Tuesday it was taking dramatic steps to secure the release of diplomats kidnapped in northern Mali. Algerian diplomats were kidnapped by al-Qaida allies who seized territory in northern Mali following a coup in Bamako in 2012.

Islamic militants have shelled the largest town in the north of Mali. It was the first such attack in months, following the French-led military operation to drive them out of the area. Two houses in the town of Gao were hit and at least one Malian soldier was wounded as …

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Syria was “very actively” cooperating with chemical weapons inspectors and suggested that Indonesia join international peace talks on the crisis. “Doubts about whether the Syrian leadership would adequately respond to the

Ivica Dačić said late on Monday after his meeting with Hashim Thaci that it was “one of the most successful meetings in Brussels.” Serbian politicians will be allowed to go to Kosovo during the election campaign, he said.

Tunisia’s ruling party and opposition groups on Saturday (October 5th) signed a roadmap agreement aimed at ending the months-long political crisis. The deal calls for the nomination of an independent prime minister by the end of next week, who would then have two weeks to form a cabinet.