Middle Orient

WASHINGTON (Agencies) — President George W. Bush held his first White House meeting with a Palestinian leader in four years Thursday and reaffirmed the US commitment to a viable Palestinian state and an end to Israeli settlement expansion. Bush made his remarks after conferring with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Amnesty International on Wednesday accused Israeli soldiers operating in the West Bank and Gaza of committing war crimes, including unlawful killings, torture, destruction of property, obstruction of medical assistance and targeting of medical personnel. The London-based human rights group’s report for 2004 also condemned the deliberate …

CAIRO (AP) — A look at the key players in Egypt’s politics trying to influence Wednesday’s referendum on the constitutional amendment that sets broad rules for Egypt’s first presidential election. The ruling National Democratic Party and eleven minor parties also have announced participation in Wednesday’s election. . Hosni Mubarak: President …

BEIRUT (AFP) — Free of the shackles of its powerful neighbour Syria, Lebanon votes on Sunday in what is being hailed as the first truly free elections in three decades — with the anti-Damascus opposition set to win. Many of Syria’s once-powerful allies have already thrown in the towel and …

TEHRAN (AFP) — Campaigning for next month’s presidential election officially got under way in Iran on Wednesday after hardliners agreed to let two reformists into a race dominated by hardliners and conservatives. The field of eight men will be battling to succeed reformist President Mohammad Khatami, near the end of …

GENEVA (AFP) — Major European powers and Iran have agreed to continue talks over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme amid signs they could strike a deal soon, foreign ministers and negotiators said after a last-ditch meeting here Wednesday to avert an escalation in the dispute. Iran pledged to maintain a suspension …

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ performance in office so far and reaffirmed the US commitment to creating a “contiguous” Palestinian state. In an interview with AFP as Abbas started a round of talks in Washington, Rice played down reported Israeli …

RAMALLAH (AP) — Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas wants to postpone parliamentary elections until November, hoping to recapture some of the popular support his ruling Fateh movement has lost, a spokesman for the Hamas group said Wednesday. Two Palestinian officials close to Abbas, who is in the US for talks with …

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Around 1,000 US and Iraqi troops swept through the western town of Haditha on Wednesday, searching homes and seizing suspects in an anti-insurgent raid that follows a surge in militant attacks. The US military said Marines, sailors and Iraqi soldiers were all involved in the operation, dubbed …

CAIRO (AP) — Plainclothes government agents beat protesters Wednesday, then watched as supporters of President Hosni Mubarak punched other demonstrators, in scattered violence that cast a pall over a referendum the 24-year ruler has called a crucial step towards democracy. Women protesters in particular seemed to be targeted for beatings …