Assad's removal from power 'impossible': Russia
Russia said Sunday that removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power was not part of past international agreements on the crisis and was impossible to implement.
Russia calls for 'transition process' in Syria
Russia called Saturday for the launch of a political transition process in Syria, a day after peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met with diplomats from Moscow and Washington in a bid to resolve the nearly two-year-old conflict.
UN peace envoy to meet Russian, US officials on Syria
UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi was set to meet top US and Russian officials Friday to discuss the Syrian conflict, a day after Damascus denounced his "bias" against President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria's other struggle: balancing sharia and justice
In the heart of Syria's rebel territory, away from the blasts and bullets of the frontlines, another struggle is playing out: one for a new justice system that could shape the future face of the country should the regime fall.
Syria's Alawite area Assad's last resort: analysts
The last option for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, who is determined not to back down after 21 months of deadly conflict, is to battle to the end from a fortified Alawite statelet, analysts believe.
Australia warns citizens against fighting in Syria
Australians who take part in the fighting in Syria face up to 20 years in jail, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Friday after a Melbourne man was reportedly killed in the conflict.
Syria conflict kills 60,000, says UN, as clashes rage
More than 60,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict, the UN said on Wednesday, as dozens more died or were wounded when an air strike hit a service station near Damascus.
Russia: 'political suicide' if Assad uses chemical arms
Russia said on Monday it would be "political suicide" for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if it used chemical weapons against the armed opposition.
British PM under fire over 'pleb' spat
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron was under fire Saturday from friends of a minister who quit over claims he called police officers 'plebs', saying the PM left Andrew Mitchell 'swinging in the wind'.
US to deploy Patriot missiles, troops to Turkey: report
The United States plans to send two rocket-intercepting Patriot missile batteries and 400 military personnel to Turkey to deter Syrian attacks.
Syria regime using missiles, barrel bombs: US
The Syrian regime has begun using missiles and barrel bombs against rebels, a top US official said Wednesday, signaling a dangerous escalation of the deadly 21-month-old conflict.
Egypt opposition debates Morsi concession
Egypt's main opposition parties were to meet late Sunday to decide whether to keep up street protests against President Mohamed Morsi after the Islamist leader made a key concession in the crisis dividing the nation.
UN urges Palestinians to stay out of Syria conflict
The half a million Palestinian refugees living in Syria should keep out of the country's conflict and their neutrality be respected.
Judge calls for "global peace" in Apple-Samsung war
A judge mulling whether to trim or overturn Apple's billion-dollar damages award against Samsung on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the ongoing patent war between the smartphone titans.
Peter Jackson defends 'Hobbit' trilogy
"The Hobbit" may be a shortish book about diminutive heroes, but Peter Jackson on Wednesday said he was right to elongate the children's story into no less than three epic movies.
Israel PM heads to Berlin as settlement row grows
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due in Berlin on Wednesday for talks likely to focus on the growing crisis over settlement plans that could torpedo the viability of a Palestinian state.
US, Israel hail cooperation on Iron Dome defense system
The US and Israel on Thursday hailed the performance of the Iron Dome defense system during the recent Gaza conflict, with Washington stressing its continued "strong commitment" to the program.
US needs rethink of Mideast peace plan: experts
The US administration must radically rethink ways to achieve a sustainable Israeli-Arab peace deal or risk seeing the goal of a two-state solution slip away.
Morsi urges dialogue as tensions over new powers rise
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said on Sunday the sweeping new powers he has assumed are only temporary and called for dialogue, as clashes in the Nile Delta saw a member of his party killed.
Israel firms up security as Gaza truce takes hold
Israel restricted Palestinian access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound and kept a tight grip on security as a first fatality tested a hard-won truce ending fighting in and around Gaza.