Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Former Iraqi finance minister Rafie Al-Issawi attends an anti-government demonstration in Ramadi, 62 miles (100 kilometers) west of Baghdad, on March 1, 2013. (Reuters/Ali Al-Mashhadani)

Exiled Sunni politician to be nominated as Iraq’s defense minister: source

by Ma'ad Fayad | Sep 30, 2014 | Middle East

Amman, Asharq Al-Awsat—“Serious steps” are being taken to clear an exiled Iraqi politician of terror charges as a prelude to his nomination as minister of defense, sources close to Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi informed Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday. “Iraq’s judiciary...

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This undated file photo shows a liquefied petroleum gas refinery in Arzew near the western city of Oran Zohra, Algeria. (Reuters)

Algeria awards 4 out of 31 oil, gas blocks on offer

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Sep 30, 2014 | Business

Algiers, Reuters—Algeria awarded four of 31 oil and gas field blocks on offer to foreign consortiums on Tuesday in its first attempt since a disappointing 2011 bid to draw investors to help offset its stagnant production. Spain’s Repsol in partnership with Royal...

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Yemeni protesters chant slogans against Houthi rebels during a rally on September 30, 2014 in the capital Sana’a. (AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED HUWAIS)

Yemen: Houthis strengthen grip on Sana’a

by Hamdan Al-Rahbi | Sep 30, 2014 | Middle East

Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Houthi movement continued to consolidate its hold over Sana’a on Monday, seizing more state institutions and buildings amid an almost total absence of the Yemeni military on the capital’s streets. According to several reports, Houthi...

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A member loyal to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) waves an ISIS flag in the Syrian city of Raqqa, on June 29, 2014. (Reuters/Stringer)

Opinion: Solving the ISIS Puzzle

by Ali Ibrahim | Sep 30, 2014 | Opinion

In a statement on Sunday, Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Muhammad Bin Naif shed some light on the puzzle of the phenomenon of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). He said the Islamist organization was not randomly formed, but rather sponsored by states and...

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UN Special Envoy Bernardino Leon (C) attends a meeting in Ghadames, on September 29, 2014. (REUTERS/Stringer)

Libya’s parliament holds crisis talks with rival assembly

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Sep 30, 2014 | Middle East

Tobruk and London, Reuters/Asharq Al-Awsat—Libya’s elected parliament held UN-brokered talks on Monday with a rival assembly in a bid to agree a ceasefire by armed factions and more dialogue to end a confrontation driving the Organization of Petroleum Exporting...