MIDDLE EAST

Libya’s Haftar makes ‘call to arms’ over possible Turkey intervention

2:01 pm January 4, 2020

Benghazi: Libya’s military strongman Khalifa Haftar has called on all Libyans to take up arms in response to a prospective military intervention from Turkey aimed at shoring up the UN-backed government in Tripoli. The beleaguered Tripoli government, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, has been under sustained attack since April by Haftar, who heads a rival administration […]

Iran vows revenge for US attack that killed powerful general

Tens of thousands rally in Iran capital against US ‘crimes’

7:57 pm January 3, 2020

Tehran: Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran to protest against American “crimes”, an AFP correspondent reported, after US strikes killed a top Iranian commander in Baghdad Friday. Chanting “Death to America” and holding up posters of the slain commander, Qasem Soleimani, the demonstrators filled streets for several blocks in central […]

US long watched Soleimani, but feared risks of a strike

Iran Guards ex-head vows ‘revenge’ on US over Soleimani death

2:51 pm January 3, 2020

Tehran: A former head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said revenge would be exacted on the United States for killing the commander of its Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday. “Soleimani joined his martyr brothers but we will exact terrible vengeance upon America,” Mohsen Rezai, who currently heads the Expediency Council, wrote on Twitter.

Iranian foreign minister arrives on 3-day India visit

Iran’s Zarif says Soleimani killing dangerous escalation

2:47 pm January 3, 2020

Tehran: Iran’s foreign minister slammed the killing on Friday of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani as a dangerous escalation and warned the United States would bear responsibility for the consequences. “The US’ act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani… is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation,” Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter. “The […]

Saudi uses sports ‘soft power’ as lever of influence

2:43 pm January 2, 2020

Paris: Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Dakar Rally this month is just the latest international sporting event to take place in the kingdom as part of a multi-billion-dollar push to boost its battered global image. In recent months the ultra-conservative kingdom — under fire over human rights abuses — has accelerated investment in sports, mirroring […]