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United Nations Security Council members used strong language Saturday after the council vetoed a resolution condemning Syria for human rights violations and attacks against its citizens. Here are some notable remarks.

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Samsung said it didn't make ad that angered Iraniansupdated Fri Feb 03 2012 10:40:20

Senior Iranian lawmakers are considering a boycott of Samsung, the South Korean electronics and appliance manufacturer, because of a controversial Israeli ad that pokes fun at the nuclear crisis, state-run Press TV of Iran said Friday.

Film director shares sights and sounds of Beirut's 'Little Armenia'updated Fri Feb 03 2012 07:57:45

Film director Nigol Bezjian was born in Syria, raised in Lebanon and studied in the United States, but nowhere does he feel more at home than in Little Armenia.

Iran's leader: War would be detrimental to U.S.updated Fri Feb 03 2012 07:01:48

The supreme leader of Iran issued a blunt warning Friday that war would be detrimental to the United States -- and that Iran is ready to help anyone who confronts "cancerous" Israel.

U.N. Security Council to meet on Syria as deaths mountupdated Fri Feb 03 2012 04:22:13

More than 200 people were reported killed in Syria, hours before the U.N. Security Council was scheduled to meet and likely vote on a draft resolution intended to pressure the government there to end its months-long crackdown on demonstrators, diplomats said.

U.N.: Aid workers kidnapped in Yemen releasedupdated Thu Feb 02 2012 13:32:58

Seven aid workers who were kidnapped in Yemen have been released, the United Nations said in a statement Thursday.

Protesters pelt U.N. chief's vehicle with shoes in Gazaupdated Thu Feb 02 2012 08:13:35

The convoy of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was pelted with shoes by Palestinians in Gaza Thursday, according to witnesses and a U.N. official.

Security Council talks disband without agreement on Syriaupdated Thu Feb 02 2012 08:01:51

A Security Council meeting ended Thursday evening with no agreement on a draft resolution intended to pressure Syria to end its months-long crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.

Hariri assassination suspects to be tried in absentiaupdated Wed Feb 01 2012 17:53:10

The special court investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri announced Wednesday it will try the four accused killers in absentia.

U.N. nuclear inspectors returning to Tehranupdated Wed Feb 01 2012 06:04:06

The United Nations nuclear monitors plan to return to Iran at the end of the month after a positive assessment from both sides of the latest visit.

U.N. Security Council talks Syria peace as deaths mountupdated Wed Feb 01 2012 02:13:54

Security Council members ended an afternoon of private discussions Wednesday about a draft resolution on Syria still riven by major differences but expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached, participants said.

Netanyahu scores Likud primary winupdated Wed Feb 01 2012 01:07:07

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu handily won his Likud party leadership primary Tuesday, fueling speculation that he may soon call for nationwide elections.

Bashar al-Assad: President defined by violenceupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 10:56:24

Before the Arab Spring came the Damascus Spring. When Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father Hafez Assad in 2000, there was the promise of a modern and more democratic Syria.

Minister escapes assassination attempt in Yemenupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 10:32:34

Yemen's information minister escaped an assassination attempt unharmed Tuesday, his office manager said.

6 aid workers kidnapped in Yemenupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 09:59:05

Six aid workers were kidnapped Tuesday in Yemen's Mahweet province, according to a senior Interior Ministry official.

Pro-Mubarak newspaper campaigns for dictator's releaseupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 08:29:42

Supporters of former Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, are now publishing a monthly Arab-language newspaper.

U.N. Security Council debates Syria as violence ragesupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 03:24:32

Arab and Western diplomats spoke in support Tuesday of a U.N. Security Council draft resolution that calls for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, while representatives from Russia and China slammed it as meddlesome.

Yemeni officials: 9 killed in air strikes in area linked to al Qaedaupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 02:38:54

Three suspected air strikes hit militant targets in southern Yemen Monday night and Tuesday morning, killing at least nine people believed to be linked to al Qaeda, Yemeni security officials said.

9 killed in suspected drone strike in Yemenupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 02:16:06

A suspected drone strike hit militant targets in southern Yemen on Monday night, killing at least nine people with suspected links to al Qaeda, security officials said.

U.N.'s Ban visits Jordan to move Mideast peace process forwardupdated Tue Jan 31 2012 02:11:16

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pays an official visit to Jordan on Tuesday, as part of a Middle East trip to help move the peace process forward.

Iraqi vice president predicts return to sectarian violenceupdated Mon Jan 30 2012 14:12:32

Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi has lashed out at Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, predicting that Iraq could soon return to widespread sectarian violence that could require the return of U.S. forces.

Where is Syria crisis heading?updated Mon Jan 30 2012 12:25:50

Ten months into the uprising in Syria, deadly clashes between opposition fighters and government forces have now spread to suburbs just 15 minutes from the heart of the capital Damascus.

U.N. to consider call for Syrian president to step downupdated Mon Jan 30 2012 04:16:16

The U.N. Security Council this week will take up a draft resolution proposed by Morocco that calls on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down and transfer power.

Key Iraqi bloc ends boycott of parliamentupdated Sun Jan 29 2012 16:19:46

A powerful political bloc in Iraq ended its boycott of the country's parliament on Sunday, describing the move as a "gesture of goodwill."

Hamas leader meets Jordan's king; first official visit since 1999updated Sun Jan 29 2012 12:08:53

The exiled leader of the Palestinian Islamic faction Hamas met with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday in his first official trip to Jordan since his expulsion in 1999.

U.S. Defense Department can't account for billions for Iraq, audit findsupdated Sun Jan 29 2012 09:19:39

The U.S. Defense Department cannot account for about $2 billion it was given to cover Iraq-related expenses and is not providing Iraq with a complete list of U.S.-funded reconstruction projects, according to two new government audits.

Israeli drone crashes in ball of fireupdated Sun Jan 29 2012 06:49:04

An unmanned Israeli airplane capable of reaching parts of Iran crashed during an experimental flight Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Arab League suspends Syria mission amid violenceupdated Sun Jan 29 2012 05:15:49

At least 64 people were killed in Syria on Sunday, according to an opposition activist group, as the Arab League suspended a monitoring mission designed to protect Syrian civilians from government-sponsored violence.

Top U.N. nuclear team lands in Iran, state media reportsupdated Sun Jan 29 2012 00:24:17

Top International Atomic Energy Agency officials arrived in Iran Sunday, state media reported, after the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog expressed fresh concerns that the Islamic republic was trying to develop nuclear weapons.

Biden calls Iraqi leaders as bloodshed worsensupdated Sat Jan 28 2012 17:44:24

As recent bloodshed raises fears of renewed sectarian violence in Iraq, U.S. Vice President Biden has been calling Iraqi leaders in an apparent attempt to soothe political tensions, the White House said Saturday.

Air force protests erupt in Yemenupdated Sat Jan 28 2012 13:13:14

Thousands of Yemeni air force personnel rallied in the capital Saturday to demand the removal of the president's half-brother as the country's air force commander.

Amid violence, Arab League suspends observer mission in Syriaupdated Sat Jan 28 2012 07:32:33

The Arab League has suspended its monitoring mission in Syria because of a sharp spike in violence, the group said Saturday, the same day opposition activists reported at least 98 deaths.

Bahrain government refutes claims over protester deathsupdated Sat Jan 28 2012 04:00:20

Bahrain's government has refuted opposition claims that security officers were responsible for the deaths of anti-government protesters, saying they died of natural causes.

Iran's envoy to IAEA is hopeful on eve of nuclear watchdog visitupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 22:32:29

Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday he is hopeful that the recent planned visit by representatives of the nuclear watchdog will "resolve any ambiguity and show (our) transparency and cooperation with the agency."

Draft resolution calls for al-Assad to step downupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 17:22:57

The U.N. Security Council discussed Friday a resolution introduced by Morocco that calls on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down and transfer power to his vice president.

Protesters storm Syrian Embassy in Cairoupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 11:40:56

More than 50 protesters opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime stormed the Syrian Embassy building in Cairo on Friday, smashing windows and tearing down the Syrian flag before dispersing, embassy officials and a witness said.

What does the future hold for Iran?updated Fri Jan 27 2012 08:10:33

In the face of economic sanctions and international condemnation, Iran remains defiant over its nuclear energy program.

Deaths rise in Syria as U.N. Security Council holds talksupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 06:44:55

Deaths mounted in Syria on Friday as world powers in the U.N.Security Council weighed a draft resolution calling on the country's president to step down.

'Not a pretty scenario' in Iraq, analyst saysupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 04:45:11

A suicide car bomber targeting a Shiite funeral procession in Baghdad killed dozens Friday, the latest attack in a country engulfed by political crisis and an uptick in violence.

U.N. official abducted in Yemen released unharmed, officials sayupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 03:57:30

A Norwegian U.N. official snatched from the streets of Yemen's capital city of Sanaa by armed tribesmen nearly two weeks ago was released unharmed, officials said Friday.

4 killed in protests in Bahrain, opposition group saysupdated Fri Jan 27 2012 01:35:45

Bahrain police on Friday denied opposition claims that security forces were responsible for the death of an anti-government protester, saying the man died from natural causes.

This month on Inside the Middle Eastupdated Thu Jan 26 2012 11:27:04

This month, Inside the Middle East explores the struggle to preserve traditional Arab culture in a rapidly changing world. Rima Maktabi shares four personal stories from people in the region who are leading the fight to protect, promote, and adapt their heritage.

U.N. Security Council to hold closed talks on Syria situationupdated Thu Jan 26 2012 07:40:57

The U.N. Security Council will hold closed-door talks Friday afternoon on the situation in Syria, the British and French delegations reported Thursday night on their respective Twitter feeds.

Iraq bomb attacks kill at least 17updated Thu Jan 26 2012 06:29:06

At least 17 people were killed Thursday in bomb attacks in a city near Baghdad and the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, police officials said.

The story of Mecca as it's never been told before updated Thu Jan 26 2012 05:29:43

From a few thousand people traveling by camel in the 7th century to three million a year today: The story of the Hajj -- the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca -- is an epic journey.

U.N. urges Yemen to have peaceful electionsupdated Thu Jan 26 2012 02:38:23

The U.N. Security Council urged Yemen to have "credible, non-violent and peaceful elections " but said it is "gravely concerned by the humanitarian situation" in the Middle East country.

Red Crescent official, priest killed in Syriaupdated Wed Jan 25 2012 07:46:09

A Red Crescent official and a priest were among the two dozen reported killed Wednesday in Syria, where a pro-government militia stormed neighborhoods in a city already notorious for an earlier revolt.

Suspected al-Qaeda militants leave town in Yemen they had taken overupdated Wed Jan 25 2012 06:27:00

A crew of suspected al Qaeda militants who had taken over a town in Yemen evacuated after tense negotiations, government officials said Wednesday.

Egyptian emergency law partially suspendedupdated Tue Jan 24 2012 14:06:55

The head of Egypt's ruling military council said Tuesday he will partially suspend an unpopular and wide-ranging emergency law that became a focal point for demonstrations forcing the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak a year ago.

In Syria, many caught 'in the middle' updated Tue Jan 24 2012 12:40:27

It wasn't until I left Syria that I found the voice I'd been looking for.

Israel arrests another Palestinian lawmakerupdated Tue Jan 24 2012 10:06:39

Israeli security forces stormed the West Bank home of a Palestinian parliament member affiliated with Hamas on Tuesday morning.

Arab League's Syria mission extended by a monthupdated Tue Jan 24 2012 08:25:12

Syria has extended the Arab League monitors' mission for a month, Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdessi told CNN Tuesday.

9 dead, 72 wounded after bombings in Iraq, police sayupdated Tue Jan 24 2012 01:02:09

At least nine people were killed and at least 72 others wounded Tuesday when four car bombs and a roadside bomb exploded in mostly Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, police officials said.

Well-known literary translator detained in Iranupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 17:33:34

Family and friends of a well-known literary translator in Iran are concerned for his well-being after he was detained for unknown reasons nearly two weeks ago.

Colorado man accused of supporting extremist terror groupupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 14:16:27

A Colorado man arrested on terror charges made an initial appearance in court on Monday, the Justice Department said.

Israeli police arrest 2 more Palestinian parliament membersupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 12:38:08

Two Palestinian parliament members suspected of involvement in Hamas activity were arrested in Jerusalem on Monday, Israeli police said.

A summary of sanctions against Iranupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 12:25:37

The history of U.S. sanctions against Iran dates as far back as 1979, when hostages were held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Over the years, the U.S. government has approved other sanctions. In 2010, amid increasing tensions of Iran's nuclear program, the United States instituted sanctions that U.S. officials described as "unprecedented."

Sanctions take toll on ordinary Iraniansupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 09:58:17

Many in the West would like to see Iran punished for its nuclear ambitions. Tehran's residents would like those people to take a glimpse into their lives.

Sabotage, bombings, sanctions: A growing web of pressure over Iranupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 09:36:53

The European Union's announcement Monday that it will embargo Iranian oil and further restrict trade with the Islamic Republic is only the latest step in an extensive and growing international campaign aimed at destabilizing the regime in Tehran.

Trial plans uncertain months after capture of Gadhafi's sonupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 08:19:17

Conflicting reports emerged Monday about whether the son of Libya's deposed leader would be tried there.

Yemen's president heads to U.S. for treatmentupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 07:01:42

Yemen's embattled president was on his way to the United States for medical treatment Monday, officials said.

Head of Arab League observers in Syria rejects criticismupdated Mon Jan 23 2012 05:13:12

The head of Arab League observers in Syria rejected criticism Monday that his team had failed to stop killing in the country, where thousands of people have died in clashes between government protesters and opposition forces demanding the end of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

After Iran threat, U.S. aircraft carrier goes through Strait of Hormuz without incidentupdated Sun Jan 22 2012 21:07:43

Flanked by British and French ships, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier moved through the Strait of Hormuz without incident Sunday despite recent threats from Iran.

Yemen's president heading to U.S. for treatmentupdated Sun Jan 22 2012 10:14:51

Embattled Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was en route to the United States for medical treatment Sunday, officials said.

Violence leaves at least 6 dead in Iraqupdated Sun Jan 22 2012 06:31:10

Gunmen attacked an Iraqi police checkpoint Sunday morning, leaving five people dead, authorities said.

Human Rights Watch: Iraq getting worseupdated Sun Jan 22 2012 05:59:50

The human rights situation in Iraq is worse now than it was a year ago, the campaign group Human Rights Watch argues in a new report out Sunday, warning that people are being tortured with impunity in secret prisons.

Arab League calls for unity government in Syriaupdated Sun Jan 22 2012 05:17:13

The Arab League agreed on a path forward in Syria on Sunday that instructs President Bashar al-Assad to delegate powers to his vice president following the formation of a national unity government.

Security forces, dissidents clash in Damascus suburbupdated Sat Jan 21 2012 07:31:56

Syrian security forces and members of a resistance movement comprised of military defectors clashed in the Damascus suburb of Douma, activists groups said Saturday.

Khaled Meshaal to step down as Hamas leaderupdated Sat Jan 21 2012 06:11:37

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal plans to leave his post, according to a statement released by the group Saturday.

Yemeni President Saleh granted immunityupdated Sat Jan 21 2012 05:20:34

Yemen's parliament approved a controversial law Saturday that ensures President Ali Abdullah Saleh complete immunity from prosecution.

EU challenges Iran to resume nuclear talksupdated Fri Jan 20 2012 18:44:24

With fresh sanctions looming from the European Union, Iran has indicated it's ready to immediately resume talks with the international community over its nuclear program. On Friday, the international community challenged Iran to do just that.

Wife mourns death of British man kidnapped years ago in Iraq updated Fri Jan 20 2012 17:35:31

The body of a British man kidnapped nearly five years ago in Iraq has been recovered, closing the books on a saga that included the deaths of three other men and the release of one.

Official: American arrested in Syriaupdated Fri Jan 20 2012 13:13:01

The U.S. government confirmed Friday the arrest of a U.S. citizen in Syria, a State Department official said.

U.S. considers closing its embassy in Syria as protests persistupdated Fri Jan 20 2012 08:55:23

The United States is considering closing its embassy in Damascus, Syria, because of security concerns, the State Department said Friday.

Counting the carbon cost of bringing water to the desertupdated Fri Jan 20 2012 07:36:41

During the summer months, in the arid, subtropical coastal plains of the United Arab Emirates, temperatures rise to 40 Celsius plus -- while average rainfall is a desolate four inches a year.

Top U.S. general visits Israel as Iran tensions riseupdated Fri Jan 20 2012 07:35:58

America's top military official began a series of high-profile meetings with Israeli leaders Friday amid growing international concerns that the Israeli government could act on its own to thwart Iran's nuclear program.

Israeli forces arrest two Palestinian politiciansupdated Fri Jan 20 2012 00:43:14

Hamas condemned Friday the arrests of two Palestinian lawmakers and called for a halt to recent peace talks.

Yemeni opposition: Saleh family let al Qaeda take over townupdated Thu Jan 19 2012 21:58:26

Yemen's largest opposition coalition blamed President Ali Abdullah Saleh's ruling family for causing chaos in the town of Radda, Baitha province, and said the family intentionally eased the way for al Qaeda militants to take over the town.

USS Abraham Lincoln sails into waters off Iranupdated Thu Jan 19 2012 13:00:09

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Arabian Sea on Thursday, Navy officials said, a likely prelude to testing Iran's recent warning against sending a U.S. carrier through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. destroyer aids crew of sinking Iranian fishing vesselupdated Thu Jan 19 2012 10:33:43

U.S. sailors aboard a guided-missile destroyer aided the crew of a sinking Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea, the U.S. Navy said Thursday.

From polluter to protector: The UAE's 'Green Sheikh' updated Thu Jan 19 2012 10:01:49

A member of one of the ruling royal families in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali al Nuaimi's work as an environmental campaigner might seem an unlikely vocation.

Turkey remembers murdered journalistupdated Thu Jan 19 2012 07:35:14

A crowd estimated at more than 10,000 people marched silently on a bitterly cold day through downtown Istanbul Thursday to commemorate the five year anniversary of the murder of an ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Arab League monitors to report on Syria, negotiate mission extensionupdated Thu Jan 19 2012 07:34:55

The Arab League was negotiating an extension of its fact-finding mission in Syria Thursday, with its members due to report over the weekend on what they have witnessed of a months-long government crackdown on protests.

Syrian troops forced out of mountain town, opposition saysupdated Wed Jan 18 2012 20:20:26

Syrian activists say opposition forces have wrested control of the town of Zabadani from government troops, but the authorities' tanks remain perched on its outskirts.

Sabotage, bombings, sanctions: A growing web of pressure over Iranupdated Wed Jan 18 2012 15:44:03

Iran is facing an extensive and growing international campaign aimed at destabilizing its regime.

Panetta: U.S. willing to pursue diplomacy with Iran but ready for 'any contingency' updated Wed Jan 18 2012 15:03:23

A diplomatic solution with Iran is still possible, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said Wednesday.

Europe planning new Syria sanctions updated Wed Jan 18 2012 09:35:35

The European Union planned new sanctions against Syria, spokesman Michael Mann said Wednesday, as opposition activists said government troops killed 21 more people in a months-long crackdown.

Israel says decision on attack on Iran is not closeupdated Wed Jan 18 2012 06:05:43

Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday that a decision on whether to strike Iran's nuclear program was "very far off."

Gunmen killed local Iraqi leader, his 3 sons updated Wed Jan 18 2012 06:02:50

Gunmen stormed a home in a small town south of Baghdad early Wednesday, killing a local leader and three of his sons, police said.

Iranian company wants to send toy drone to Obamaupdated Wed Jan 18 2012 04:43:35

An Iranian non-profit company says it will honor U.S. President Barack Obama's request that Iran return a drone that crashed there last year.

Yemeni vice president assures elections will go on as plannedupdated Tue Jan 17 2012 09:00:28

Yemeni officials on Tuesday downplayed rumors that next month's presidential elections in Yemen would be delayed, the same day U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faulted the Yemeni president for failing to fulfill his commitment to leave the country.

Syrian defector speaks of devastation; slams Arab League missionupdated Tue Jan 17 2012 08:22:48

A member of Syria's Parliament has defected to Egypt and spoken of leaving behind a "ghost town full of horror."

Iraqi checkpoint attack kills 5 policemenupdated Tue Jan 17 2012 07:41:02

At least five Iraqi police officers were killed Tuesday morning when gunmen attacked a checkpoint in the town of Rutba, near the Jordanian border, police officials told CNN.

Syrian official defects, says regime will fight at all costsupdated Tue Jan 17 2012 04:23:34

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will fight at all costs to crush the revolt seeking his ouster, a member of the Syrian Parliament who defected to Egypt said Tuesday.

Jordan's king discusses Middle East peace talks with Obamaupdated Tue Jan 17 2012 02:02:20

Jordan's King Abdullah met Tuesday with U.S. President Barack Obama to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the conflict in Syria, which borders Jordan.

Bedouin leaders threaten armed rebellion against Egyptian governmentupdated Mon Jan 16 2012 21:53:35

Egypt's military-led government, struggling to manage the transition to democracy, has a rising adversary: rebellious Bedouin tribes.

Source: U.S. sent letter to Iran over Strait of Hormuz threatupdated Mon Jan 16 2012 16:35:55

The U.S. has used multiple means of reaching out to Iran in response to Iran's threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit point for one-fifth of the world's oil.

25 dead in Beirut building collapseupdated Mon Jan 16 2012 13:30:57

At least 25 people are dead after a six-story building collapsed in Beirut, the country's news agency reported Monday.

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