Russian President Vladimir Putin has told foreign diplomats that his country is on a clear democratic path with human rights and freedom as priorities. Putin addressed about 200 ambassadors in the first such meeting of his presidency.

Lebanon’s presidential election was postponed for a week to December 7 to allow for more talks between rival leaders on a compromise candidate, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday.

Iraqi legislators thwarted Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s attempts to get approval for nominees to fill two vacant cabinet posts on Thursday, indicating deep political divisions remain despite falling sectarian violence.