Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mouallem (R) meeting with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura (L) in Damascus, Syria, on November 9, 2014. (EPA/SANA HANDOUT)

Former head of Syrian opposition’s visit to Moscow sparks controversy

by Caroline Akoum | Nov 9, 2014 | Middle East

Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—Tensions have arisen within the main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Coalition, over the visit of its former leader Moaz Al-Khatib to Moscow over the weekend, according to a senior member within the organization. Samir...

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A man with the Estelada flag on his T-shirt (pro-independence Catalan flag) makes the victory sign as he casts his vote in a polling station for an informal poll for the independence of Catalonia in Barcelona, on November 9, 2014, Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Catalan independence hopes high in symbolic vote on split from Spain

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Nov 9, 2014 | World

Barcelona, Reuters—Hundreds of thousands of Catalans voted on Sunday in a symbolic referendum on independence from Spain that supporters hope will propel the issue further despite opposition from Madrid. The “consultation of citizens” in the wealthy...

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Libyan soldiers stand at the entrance of a damaged empty building that was used by Islamic militias during heavy clashes in Benghazi, Libya, on November 3, 2014 (AP Photo/Mohammed El-Sheikhy)

Egypt has not supplied arms to Libyan factions: source

by Khalid Mahmoud | Nov 9, 2014 | Middle East

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—Libyan and Egyptian sources speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat have denied reports that Egyptian cargo planes entered Libyan airspace during the past few days to supply armed groups allied to the Tobruk-based government with weapons and ammunition. A...

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A handout photo released by the Yemeni Presidency Office shows Yemeni President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi (C) and members of the new government posing for a group picture in Sana’’a, Yemen, on November 9, 2014. (EPA/YEMENI PRESIDENCY OFFICE/HANDOUT)

Yemen swears in new government amid crisis

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Nov 9, 2014 | Middle East

Sana’a, AP—Yemen has sworn in a new government despite objections from the ruling party, led my former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and allied Shi’ite rebels who control the capital. Thirty ministers were sworn in on Sunday. Another three rejected their...

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Since the group was founded, ISIS has had recruits pouring in from around the world. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

ISIS tightens up its entry requirements

by Mohammed Al-Shafey | Nov 9, 2014 | Features

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—If any group could be said to have powerful enemies these days, it is the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), making a certain amount of paranoia on the part of the organization and its leaders understandable. It is therefore not surprising...