Suzanne Tamim murder convictions overturned by court
March 4, 2010
An Egyptian court has ordered the retrial of an Egyptian tycoon who was sentenced to death for killing his Lebanese pop star lover.
The court overturned Hisham Talaat Moustafa’s murder conviction on procedural grounds.
Iraq election campaign under way amid candidacy row
February 13, 2010
Campaigning for the election in Iraq is getting under way amid a continuing row over the ban on scores of candidates.
As posters appeared across Iraq for Friday’s start, the fate of more than 170 candidates is still undecided.
Iran’s Mousavi says he will continue fight for reform
February 2, 2010
Iran’s opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said he will continue his struggle against the government.
In a statement posted on his website, Mr Mousavi said the 1979 Islamic revolution had failed to achieve most of its goals.
He said politically motivated arrests of protesters were illegal and more should be done to secure people’s rights.
Fourth death sentence for ‘Chemical Ali’
January 17, 2010
Ali Hassan al-Majid, a former Iraqi official known as Chemical Ali, has been sentenced to death for ordering the gassing of Kurds.
It is the fourth time that Majid, an enforcer in Saddam Hussein’s regime, has been sentenced to death.
He has also been convicted of the killings of Shia Muslims in 1991 and 1999 and for his role in a campaign of genocide against Kurds in the 1980s.
Iran issues warning on opposition internet use
January 16, 2010
Iranian authorities have warned opposition supporters against using text and e-mail messages to organise protest rallies.
The country’s police chief said these systems were monitored and people misusing them would be prosecuted.
Yemen forces ‘kill al-Qaeda chief’
January 13, 2010
The alleged leader of an al-Qaeda cell in Yemen has been killed in an exchange of fire with security forces, according to a provincial governor.
Abdullah Mehdar is said to have been the leader of an al-Qaeda group in the province of Shabwa, 375 miles (600km) east of the capital, Sanaa.
Israel to construct barrier along Egyptian border
January 11, 2010
Israel’s government has approved plans for the construction of a barrier along its border with Egypt in a bid to keep out illegal migrants and militants.
It will be built along two parts of the border - near the Red Sea city of Eilat and on the edge of the Gaza Strip.
German minister Westerwelle in surprise Yemen visit
January 11, 2010
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has made a surprise visit to Yemen, where five German nationals have been held hostage for six months.
He raised the issue during talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa.
Five Germans, including three children, and a Briton were seized in northern Yemen while picnicking in June.
Dozens killed in Yemen air strike on al-Qaeda suspects
December 24, 2009
At least 30 suspected al-Qaeda militants have been killed by an air strike in a remote mountainous area of Yemen, security officials say.
An unnamed official told reporters the strike took place as dozens of militants gathered in Shabwa province, east of the capital, Sanaa.
Clashes at Montazeri ceremony, Iran opposition says
December 23, 2009
Iranian security forces have clashed with crowds of opposition supporters in the city of Isfahan, according to opposition website reports.
Activists said police used tear gas and batons to disperse people gathering to commemorate Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died at the weekend.