Australia's WikiLeaks Party under fire for Assad talks
Whistleblowing group WikiLeaks said Tuesday it had no knowledge of and did not approve a delegation to Syria which met President Bashar al-Assad and included members of Australia's WikiLeaks Party.
Pope marks first Christmas as crowds flock to Bethlehem
Pope Francis held his first Christmas Eve mass in the Vatican on Tuesday by highlighting the role played by humble shepherds in the Nativity, as thousands flocked to the historic site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
Kazakhstan not sending peacekeepers to Syria
According to Kazakhstan ex-Permanent Representative in the UN Senator Byrganym Aitimova, Kazakhstan will not send any peacekeepers to Syria.
Syria views Saudi as number one enemy
Syria now views Saudi Arabia as its number one enemy and accuses it of trying to destroy the country by arming jihadists and other rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
Chemical watchdog approves Syria plan despite delays
The world's chemical watchdog on Tuesday agreed the final details of a plan to destroy Syria's arsenal, vowing to push ahead with the unprecedented project despite delays.
UN chief says Syria chemical attackers should be sanctioned
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called on the international community Friday to sanction those responsible for Syrian chemical weapons attacks documented in a newly released report.
Assad win may be Syria's best option: ex-CIA chief
The sectarian bloodbath in Syria is such a threat to regional security that a victory for Bashar al-Assad's regime could the best outcome to hope for, a former CIA chief said Thursday.
Jerusalem buried in snow as rare storm pounds Mideast
A fierce winter storm shut down much of the Middle East Friday, burying Jerusalem in snow, flooding parts of Gaza and bringing frigid, wet weather to war-ravaged Syria.
Watchdog warns of delay in moving Syria chemical weapons
The world's chemical watchdog said Sunday that the transportation of Syria's chemical arsenal out of the country could be delayed by a few days due to technical difficulties.
Oxfam launches '12 Days of Giving' for Syria refugees
International aid agency Oxfam on Tuesday launched a "12 Days of Giving" appeal to help destitute Syrian refugee families in Jordan and Lebanon survive the region's harsh winter months.
Kazakhstan may contribute to liquidation of chemical weapons in Syria
We believe the Middle East should be a zone free of weapons of mass destruction: Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Multilateral Cooperation.
Syria regime, opponents dig in ahead of talks
Damascus vowed to keep fighting "terrorism" and the opposition insisted President Bashar al-Assad must go, as both sides dug in Tuesday after a date for long-planned peace talks was set.
Middle East unrest fuels Sunni-Shiite rift
Relations between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the Middle East could plunge to new lows as the violence in Syria worsens and sectarian rhetoric looms in upcoming Iraqi elections, experts say.
After a year, no news of US reporter missing in Syria
The family of US journalist James Foley, who on Friday will mark the first anniversary of his disappearance in war-torn Syria, say they have not given up hope of welcoming him home.
Syria refugees in Lebanon drowning in poverty, says Oxfam
Desperate Syrian refugee families in Lebanon are slipping further into debt and poverty, affecting their children's education and their dignity, an international aid agency said Thursday.
Top Assad officials in Moscow to discuss Syria talks
A senior Syrian regime delegation was Monday in Moscow to hold talks with top Russian diplomats on plans to hold a peace conference in Geneva to end the Syria conflict, the foreign ministry said.
Chemical watchdog seals Syria arsenal destruction plan
The world's chemical watchdog on Friday adopted a final roadmap for ridding Syria of its arsenal by mid-2014, reaching agreement hours before a deadline expired.
Syria opposition says would attend peace talks with conditions
Syria's main opposition grouping said Monday it was willing to attend peace talks on the condition that President Bashar al-Assad transfer power and is excluded from any transition process.
Japan foreign minister heads for Iran as talks bring hope
Japan's foreign minister was preparing Friday to fly to Tehran where he hoped to leverage Tokyo's friendship and cement progress made in talks with world powers over curbing Iran's nuclear drive.