Seventeen killed in Egypt as Morsi-backers defy crackdown

Seventeen killed in Egypt as Morsi-backers defy crackdown - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

SNC pulls out of Geneva II talks on Syria

The Syrian National Council, the self-declared "government in exile" opposing the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, has announced it will not be attending a second round of Geneva peace talks planned to begin on January 22.

In its rejection, the Istanbul-based council said the Assad regime had not declared a strong commitment to the aims of the original Geneva talks, held in last June, such as bringing in a transitional government and ending the war.

"They've done exactly the opposite, adding additional designations to Geneva II, calling it "fighting terrorism", while continuing the actions of besieging, starving people, and throwing barrel bombs indiscriminately, without any action from the Arabic and international community to stop the Syrian regime's aggressive activities and crimes."

SNC pulls out of Geneva II talks on Syria - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Several dead as Egypt protests turn violent

Several dead as Egypt protests turn violent - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Hezbollah moved advanced antiship missile systems into Lebanon, U.S. officials say

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Deadly explosion hits Lebanese capital - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

 Tension escalates as car bombing in Hezbollah bastion of southern Beirut kills six people and wounds 66 others.
Deadly explosion hits Lebanese capital - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Syrian warplanes bomb hills in Lebanon in cross-border strike

The range that was bombed is used by Syrian rebels and refugees to cross between the two countries. At least 10 Syrians wounded.

Syrian warplanes bomb hills in Lebanon in cross-border strike - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Deadly bombings hit Somali capital

Deadly bombings hit Somali capital - Africa - Al Jazeera English