Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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A screen-grab taken on July 13, 2014 from a video released by the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram and obtained by AFP shows the leader of the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau. (AFP)

Extremists seize multinational base on Nigeria–Chad border

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jan 5, 2015 | World

Bauchi, AP—Boko Haram Islamic extremists have seized the headquarters of a multinational military force near Nigeria’s border with Chad, just days after foreign troops abandoned the base, according to a community leader and residents who took to canoes to...

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Hadi Bahra, the head of the Syrian National Coalition speaks during a press conference following his meeting with the Arab League’s Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby at the league’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Syrian National Coalition elects new president

by Nazeer Rida | Jan 5, 2015 | Middle East

Beirut and London, Asharq Al-Awsat—The main Syrian umbrella opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, has elected a new president. Khaled Khoja, a 49-year-old doctor and businessman, and one of the founding members of the Coalition, won 56 out of 106 votes cast...

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Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir looks on during a meeting with former South African President and head of African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki (unseen) in Khartoum on September 10, 2014. (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

Sudan: Constitutional amendments give Bashir new powers

by Ahmed Younis | Jan 5, 2015 | Middle East

Khartoum, Asharq Al-Awsat—Sudan’s parliament approved changes to the country’s constitution on Sunday, giving President Omar Al-Bashir additional powers to appoint and remove senior officials, as well as expanding the role of the intelligence service. A total of 18...

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Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi (R) shakes hands with newly nominated Prime Minister Habib Essid in Tunis. (Reuters)

Former interior minister nominated as new Tunisia premier

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jan 5, 2015 | Middle East

Tunis, Reuters—A former Tunisian interior minister has been nominated as prime minister to form a new government after an agreement among political parties in the newly elected parliament, congress speaker Mohamed Nacer said on Monday. The nominee, Habib Essid, worked...

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Iranian president Hassan Rouhani speaking during the opening ceremony of an economic conference in Tehran on January 4, 2015. (AFP PHOTO / IRANIAN PRESIDENCY WEBSITE)

Rouhani urges end to Iran’s isolation

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jan 5, 2015 | Middle East

Dubai, Reuters—Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for curbs on the state’s involvement in business and an end to Tehran’s international isolation on Sunday to help rescue an economy hurt by sanctions, corruption and mismanagement. His appeal in a...