TEHRAN (FNA)- The managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines announced here on Friday that 27 ships will be added to IRISL fleet by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20).

TEHRAN (FNA)- Emir of Qatar Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani said in Damascus quadripartite meeting that the problem between the United Arab Emirates and Iran on three Persian Gulf Islands should be solved peacefully.

Syria has sent a list of proposals to Israel aimed at laying the groundwork for direct peace talks between the two foes, President Bashar al-Assad says.

Seven people were killed when a helicopter crashed into an oil rig off the coast of Dubai, officials say.

A UN peacekeeper in Lebanon has been killed in an explosion while clearing munitions left over from the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

After further falls on Friday, the Russian stock market has plunged more than 30% since the country’s invasion of Georgia last month.

KABUL (Reuters) – More foreign soldiers were killed in Afghanistan during August than in any other month since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion, an independent website said, reflecting a rise in Taliban attacks.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as saying on Friday that he doubted a full peace deal with Israel could be reached this year and urged the next U.S. administration to continue negotiations.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she would discuss the plight of ailing detained dissident Fathi el-Jahmi with Muammar Gaddafi during a historic meeting with the Libyan leader later on Friday.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Top U.S. diplomat Condoleezza Rice arrived in Tripoli on Friday on the first trip by a U.S. secretary of state to Libya since 1953, and said it was proof that Washington had no “permanent enemies”.