Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Benny Gantz (L) received the mandate from President Reuven Rivlin Israeli ex-military chief Benny Gantz has been tasked with forming a coalition government after PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts ended in deadlock. It is the first time that someone other than Mr Netanyahu has received such a mandate since 2009. […]
Protests against the government in Lebanon are continuing, despite the army moving to reopen key roads. The demonstrations that began on October 17 were sparked by a proposed tax increase. Prime Minister Saad Hariri has presented a series of reforms but the protesters say that they will continue to rally until the government steps down. […]
Image copyright IRTV2 Image caption The star’s arrest and subsequent TV ‘confession’ has been denounced on social media Iranian TV has broadcast an interview with an Instagram star who was reportedly jailed for blasphemy in October. Sahar Tabar gained worldwide fame on social media for her eerie likeness to American actress Angelina Jolie – a […]
Image copyright Reuters The US is lifting sanctions on Turkey after its recent offensive against Kurdish fighters in north-eastern Syria, President Donald Trump says. His decision came after Russia agreed with Turkey to use troops to extend a ceasefire along the Syrian border. Turkey’s offensive began after Mr Trump’s unexpected decision to withdraw US troops […]
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Turkish-backed Syrian rebels have captured the border town of Tal Abyad Turkey’s president has threatened to resume an offensive in north-east Syria unless Kurdish fighters withdraw from the border before a ceasefire ends. Up to 1,300 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia members still had to pull back before 22:00 (19:00 […]
A temporary truce has put a end to fierce fighting in northern Syria, after Turkey launched an offensive on 9 October. Turkey says the move, which took place after a US troop withdrawal, aims to create a 32km (20-mile) ‘safe zone’ in areas of Kurdish control. The BBC’s Aleem Maqbool meets a bereaved mother, fleeing […]
Media captionCivilians pelt US vehicles with potatoes US President Donald Trump says some American troops will stay on in Syria despite his call for them to be pulled out. He said a small number would protect oil fields while others would stay near Israel and Jordan. His decision two weeks ago to withdraw US forces […]
Media captionFrom flag waving and calls for revolution, watch how anti-government protests have unfolded in Lebanon Lebanon’s government has approved a package of economic reforms as it attempts to quell the biggest protests to sweep the country in over a decade. Measures include steps to cut Lebanon’s huge deficit, slashing politicians’ salaries by half and […]
Media captionFrom flag waving and calls for revolution, watch how anti-government protests have unfolded in Lebanon Lebanon’s coalition government has approved a package of economic reforms as it attempts to quell the biggest protests in years. The proposals reportedly involve scrapping new taxes and halving the salaries of top officials. The government’s move came as […]
Media captionFrom flag waving and calls for revolution, watch how anti-government protests have unfolded in Lebanon Lebanon’s coalition government has reportedly agreed to a package of economic reforms as it attempts to quell the biggest protests in years. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets on Sunday for a fourth day of anti-government protests. […]