Syria rebel group upbeat on Douma talks but denies deal
BEIRUT/MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Syrian rebel group said on Friday that U.N.-mediated talks with Russia were “heading in the right direction” but denied it had agreed to evacuate the last insurgent-held enclave in eastern Ghouta.
Russia summons Western diplomats to set out retaliatory steps in spy rift
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned a slew of senior Western diplomats on Friday to set out the retaliatory measures it was taking in a standoff with the West over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.
Syrian SDF says not informed of any U.S. withdrawal plan
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Friday it had not been informed of any plan to withdraw U.S. forces operating in Syria as part of the coalition against Islamic State.
Russian source in Maltese scandal fears for her life: lawyer
ATHENS (Reuters) – A Greek lawyer representing a Russian woman who blew the whistle on alleged wrongdoing at Malta-based Pilatus Bank, says his client fears for her life if she is extradited to Malta.
China envoy tells Moon all sides must advance talks on Korean peninsula
BEIJING (Reuters) – Senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday that all parties must seize the moment to advance talks between leaders of North and South Korea, and between North Korea and the United States.
Syrian rebels deny deal with Russia to leave Douma town
MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) – The last Syrian rebel group in the eastern Ghouta near Damascus denied reports it had agreed with Russia to leave the town of Douma, after the Russian military said it had reached a deal for insurgents to surrender the area.
France could bolster Syria role in fight against Islamic State: source
PARIS (Reuters) – France could increase its military presence to help a U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria and warned that a Turkish advance on a town controlled by Kurdish-backed militias would be “unacceptable”, a presidential source …
Turkey says France ‘completely wrong’ on Syria
ANKARA/PARIS (Reuters) – A senior Turkish official said on Friday that a French pledge to help stabilize a region of northern Syria controlled by Kurdish-dominated forces amounted to support for terrorism and could make France a “target of Turkey”.
Two Gazans killed, Palestinians say, as border protest begins
GAZA-ISRAEL BORDER (Reuters) – At least two Palestinians were killed and more than 50 wounded by Israeli gunfire in Gaza, Palestinian medical officials said on Friday, as Gazans began a planned six-week protest along the border with Israel.
Syrian rebel group denies reports they will leave Douma
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian rebel group Jaish al-Islam denied reports on Friday it would leave Douma near Damascus, after Russia said it had reached an agreement by which insurgents would leave the town.
