BEIRUT  — The UN Security Council’s call for Syria to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon was expected to stiffen Damascus’ resolve against formal links to its tiny neighbour, a move it has steadfastly rejected for six decades. Three factors, at least, are at work against Syria heeding the UN resolution …

BRUSSELS (Reuters) — Donors and financial institutions will meet in Brussels next week to try to flesh out a temporary aid mechanism for Palestinians, still split over its scope and how it should work, diplomats said on Thursday. Donors suspended direct aid to the Palestinian Authority after Islamist group Hamas, …

GAZA CITY (AP) — Security forces loyal to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a new army run by the Hamas-led government paraded through the streets with assault rifles and stared each other down Thursday, competing for control of the Gaza Strip.