Middle Orient

Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has urged the EU to accelerate Turkey’s membership bid and pledged to help Ankara gain accession.

GAZA, Nov. 12 – Hamas, which controls Gaza Strip, and the Islamic Jihad on Wednesday reiterated that they boycotted Egyptian efforts for an inter-Palestinian dialogue to reconcile between the main rival factions of Hamas and Fatah.

Israeli troops have killed four Palestinian militants in a gunbattle on the Gaza border, Palestinians say.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and Turkey should take common measures in borders to eliminate elements that threaten security of both countries, a Turkish provincial official said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced his country’s preparedness to mediate between the new Obama administration and Iran.

A clandestine agreement between the new Pakistani leadership and the US allows American drones to strike targets inside the restive tribal belt where suspected Al Qaeda and Taliban militants are reportedly taking shelter.

GAZA, Nov. 11 – Israel stopped delivering fuel to Gaza power station Tuesday afternoon hours after providing insufficient amount, Palestinian officials said.

RAMALLAH, Nov. 11 – More than 8,000 Palestinians, many were Fatah supporters, gathered in the West Bank on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of late leader Yasser Arafat, while their counterparts in the Gaza Strip, controlled by the rival Hamas movement, were suppressed.

GAZA, Nov. 11 – Hamas forces that were deployed across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday quickly crushed any attempt of gathering by supporters of rival Fatah movement who try to commemorate the fourth anniversary of late leader Yasser Arafat.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Sunnis and Shi’ites made an emotional reach across the sectarian divide on Tuesday, reopening a Baghdad bridge between the two communities closed since a 2005 stampede, the deadliest incident of the war.