Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Iraqi security forces take part in training, as they prepare to fight against militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, at a training camp on the outskirts of Mosul on January 10, 2015. (Reuters/Azad Lashkari)

Nineveh: “The city is stronger than the tribe”

by Hamza Mustafa | Jan 15, 2015 | Features

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—In June 2014 the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) launched its lightening advance across northern areas of Iraq, taking control of Mosul, the capital of Nineveh province and Iraq’s second-largest city. Since then, planning has been under...

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French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech as he visits the Arab Institute building, in Paris, France, on January 15, 2015. (EPA/IAN LANGSDON / POOL)

Hollande reassures Muslims, demands respect for French values

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jan 15, 2015 | World

Paris, Reuters—President François Hollande assured Muslims in France and abroad on Thursday that his country respected them and their religion but would not compromise its commitment to freedom and democracy. Speaking a week after three days of Islamist militant...

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United Nations special envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon (C) welcomes representatives of Libya’s warring factions prior to talks in Geneva, on January 14, 2015 (AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI)

Libyan peace talks will fail: minister

by Khalid Mahmoud | Jan 15, 2015 | Middle East

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—The UN-sponsored talks between Libyan rivals gathered in Geneva will not produce a solution for the crisis in the North African country, a senior Libyan official told Asharq Al-Awsat this week. A member of the cabinet of Libyan PM Abdullah...

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This file photo shows a worker walking on an oil pipeline at the Khurmala oil field on the outskirts of the city of Erbil, in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, on December 4, 2013. (Reuters/Stringer)

Baghdad and Erbil to meet “soon” to resolve outstanding disputes: sources

by Dalshad Abdullah | Jan 15, 2015 | Middle East

Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—A political delegation from the autonomous Kurdistan region in Iraq will meet with the central Baghdad government “soon” in order to resolve a number of disputes between both sides, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The Kurdish...

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A general view shows Roumieh prison, in Roumieh January 12, 2015. (Reuters/Mohamed Azakir)

Lebanon: New security procedures at Roumieh prison

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jan 15, 2015 | Middle East

Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—Lebanese authorities have implemented new security plans at the country’s largest prison, including placing “dangerous” prisoners in solitary confinement, after police raided the detention facility following reports that the prison had...