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.
Polio in Syria poses risk for Europe: doctors
An outbreak of polio in Syria poses a threat to Europe, where the crippling and potentially fatal disease was declared eradicated in 2002, doctors warned on Friday.
Blasts in Syria, opposition urges 'neutrality' in peace effort
Bomb attacks in Damascus and southern Syria have left at least 16 people dead, as the Syrian opposition hit back at claims it is hindering efforts to hold a peace conference.
Syrian regime says not going to Geneva talks to hand over power
The Syrian regime will not attend a proposed Geneva peace conference if the aim is for President Bashar al-Assad to hand over power, the country's information minister said Monday.
Syria becoming 'Mediterranean Afghanistan': Turkey president
Syria could become a "Mediterranean Afghanistan" if the international community does not act to end its civil war.
Israel jets strike Syria, inspectors seal chemical weapons
Israel has reportedly carried out an air strike on a Syrian military installation to stop a shipment to Hezbollah, as inspectors said Syria's entire declared stock of chemical weapons has been placed under seal.
Assad tells envoy Syrians will decide on peace talks
President Bashar al-Assad insisted in a meeting Wednesday with visiting UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi that Syrians alone will decide on the fate of an initiative for Geneva peace talks.
500 civilians evacuated from besieged Syrian town
Some 500 women, children and elderly civilians trapped in the besieged town of Moadamiyet al-Sham, southwest of Damascus, have been evacuated.
Peace envoy heads for Syria, Russia slams rebel threats
UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi headed for Damascus to seek support for a Syria peace conference, as Russia slammed rebels for threatening those planning to attend the so-called Geneva II talks.