GAZA CITY (AFP) — Hamas has pledged in the wake of its bloody seizure of the Gaza Strip to work to free BBC reporter Alan Johnston, snatched by gunmen more than three months ago in the volatile territory.

BEIRUT (AFP) — The Lebanese government has set August 5 for by-elections to replace two assassinated MPs, despite opposition from the country’s pro-Syrian president, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said Saturday.

NAHR BARED, Lebanon (AFP) — Lebanese troops unleashed an intense artillery bombardment on Saturday against positions of Islamist fighters who have been holed up inside a refugee camp for almost a month.