Exclusive: Lebanon believes Hariri held in Saudi, wants foreign pressure – top officials
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon believes Saad al-Hariri, who resigned as prime minister on Saturday while in Saudi Arabia, is being held by Riyadh, and Beirut plans to work with foreign states to secure his return, two top Lebanese government officials said…
Despite NATO pledge to increase Afghan support, troop shortfall remains
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO’s pledge to send more troops to Afghanistan still falls short of commitments, U.S. commanders said on Thursday, concerned that fewer reinforcements could threaten the already precarious security situation in the country.
Putin says U.S. looking to stir trouble at upcoming Russian presidential vote: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of wanting to stir trouble at Russia’s presidential elections in retaliation for alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, RIA Novosti news agency reported…
Britain, Russia clash over Syria at chemical weapons body
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Britain accused Russia on Thursday of carrying out a “thinly veiled political attack” against the head of the world’s chemical weapons watchdog, escalating a row over the body’s investigation into toxic attacks in Syria.
Deep in Yemen war, Saudi fight against Iran falters
MARIB, Yemen (Reuters) – At a hospital in the Yemeni city of Marib, demand for artificial limbs from victims of the country’s war is so high that prosthetics are made on site in a special workshop.
Syria declares victory over Islamic State
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s army declared victory over Islamic State on Thursday, saying its capture of the jihadists’ last town in the country marked the collapse of their three-year, hardline reign in the in the region.
Hilltop tribe’s bitterness a challenge for Libya peace effort
BANI WALID, Libya (Reuters) – Elders of a powerful tribe that defended the regime of former leader Muammar Gaddafi have a message for the United Nations as it tries to broker peace in Libya – talk to us or you will fail.
UK’s May faces Brexit balancing act to replace scandal-hit minister
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to appoint a new aid minister on Thursday following a resignation that has left her struggling to stave off open conflict in a cabinet divided over Brexit.
Syrian army takes last Islamic State bastion in Syria: army statement
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army and its allies have taken Albu Kamal, Islamic State’s last major stronghold in Syria, representing the end of Islamic State’s project in the region, the army general command said on Thursday.
Syrian army, allies take last Islamic State bastion in Syria: army statement
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army and its allies have taken Albu Kamal, Islamic State’s last major stronghold in Syria, and are now fighting the last remaining IS pockets in the country’s eastern desert, the army’s general command said on Thursday.
