Middle Orient

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria and Lebanon must cooperate in fighting terrorism, the Syrian foreign minister said in comments on Wednesday, linking the threat faced by both neighbors which have recently been targeted by militants.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction has rejected a request by Hamas rivals to meet separately ahead of multi-factional reconciliation talks next month in Cairo, Fatah officials said Tuesday.

Iraqi leaders are examining a new draft deal under which US troops would remain in the country after the UN mandate expires later this year, officials say.

A signing ceremony has been held in Damascus establishing diplomatic relations for the first time between Syria and Lebanon.

TEHRAN (FNA)- A top adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran would hold talks with the United States only if its forces leave the Middle East and Washington ends its support for Israel.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – In five years of war, Iraq has been hostage to a parade of grim statistics: car bombs, corpses, cholera and refugees fleeing rampant bloodshed.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has issued a decree to set up diplomatic ties with Lebanon and open an embassy.

The summit between Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been heralded by some observers as ushering in a new era for Syria and Lebanon.

British troops are no longer needed to maintain security in southern Iraq as the situation has changed, the country’s prime minister has said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Prominent Reformist cleric Mehdi Karroubi says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s comment on the Holocaust has cost Iran an arm and a leg.