MIDDLE EAST

Israel holds 18 after tourists stoned

Israeli police arrested 18 Palestinians in the grounds of Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque complex on Sunday after tourists visiting the site under police escort were stoned, police said.

Afghanistan hopeful of Pakistan's help in peace drive

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Afghanistan is optimistic that regional power Pakistan will help the Kabul government advance a reconciliation process with the Taliban, the Afghan president's spokesman said Saturday....

Bahrain deports four foreign activists

Bahrain announced the deportation of four foreign activists for "taking part in illegal demonstrations," bringing to 12 the number expelled over the past week....

Iraq accuses some Arab states of helping fund terror

Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister Adnan al-Assadi accused some Arab states he did not identify Friday of helping to fund terrorism, and expressed concern about security at the Syrian border....

US aid cut may force Israel treaty review: Egypt

CAIRO (Reuters) - The Muslim Brotherhood has warned that Egypt may review its 1979 peace deal with Israel if the United States cuts aid to the country, a move that could undermine a cornerstone of Washington's Middle East policy....

Hezbollah denies role in attack on Israel's missions

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah denied Israeli accusations on Thursday that his group was behind bombers who attacked Israeli missions in India and Georgia this week....

Bahrain forces patrol capital on revolt anniversary

MANAMA (Reuters) - Armored vehicles patrolled Bahrain's capital on Tuesday in a security clampdown to deter protesters after overnight clashes outside Manama on the first anniversary of a forcibly suppressed pro-democracy uprising....

Syria's President Bashar Assad sets the date for a referendum

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's President Bashar Assad sets Feb. 26 as the date for a referendum on a new constitution.

Israel OKs tourist center in tense Arab area

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government has given a hardline Jewish group permission to build a new archaeological center in a tense Arab neighborhood in east Jerusalem, officials said Tuesday....

IMF warns Israel over Arab, Haredi Jew poverty

The International Monetary Fund warned Israel Monday of potential instability due to the high unemployment and deep poverty among Arab-Israelis and ultra-orthodox Haredi Jews....