Iran says does not seek indefinite power for Assad
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Iran, Syria’s main regional ally, does not see President Bashar al-Assad staying in power indefinitely but neither does it want “extremist forces” to replace him, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Wednesday.
Egypt to pass new ‘anti-terrorism’ law: ministers
CAIRO (Reuters) – Senior Egyptian ministers said they would pass legislation on Thursday “connected to confronting terrorism”, in a statement released hours after three explosions killed two people in Cairo.
Syria accuses rebels of planning gas attack near Damascus
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Syria is charging in a letter to the United Nations that opposition groups are planning a toxic gas attack in a rebel-held area near Damascus so they can then blame it on government security forces.
Putin officially divorces his wife Lyudmila: Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally divorced his wife Lyudmila after more than 30 years of marriage, Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday, following a surprise breakup announcement last year.
Libya says could reach deal in 2-3 days to open oil ports
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya could finalize an agreement in two to three days with rebels to reopen key oil ports, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, bolstering hopes for an end to an eight-month standoff that dried up petroleum revenue.
NATO, Russia dispute over Crimea disrupts Afghan cooperation
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO’s decision to suspend cooperation with Russia will affect their cooperation in countering the flow of Afghan opium and keeping Afghan military helicopters flying, a NATO official said on Wednesday.
Zuma, Mugabe stay home as EU and African leaders meet in Brussels
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Presidents and prime ministers from Europe and Africa gathered in Brussels on Wednesday for an EU-Africa summit designed to promote peace and investment on the world’s poorest continent.
Libya says moves oil security force headquarters to east, meets rebel demand
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya will move the headquarters of a security force tasked with guarding oil facilities to the eastern town of Brega, home to a rebel force occupying oil ports, the government said on Wednesday.
Libya says could reach deal in 2-3 days to open oil ports
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya could finalise an agreement in two to three days with rebels to reopen key oil ports, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, bolstering hopes for an end to an eight-month standoff that dried up petroleum revenue.
Search for missing Malaysian jet drags on, as probe narrows to crew
PERTH/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian police have ruled out involvement of any passengers in the disappearance of a missing jetliner, while Australian officials warned bad weather and a lack of reliable information were impeding efforts to find wrec…
