Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Lebanese civilians gather next to the site of a blast outside the al-Taqwa mosque in the northern city of Tripoli on August 23, 2013. (AFP)

Lebanon: Trial of Salam, Taqwa Mosques Bombings Suspects Set for May

by Youssef Diab | Apr 30, 2017 | Middle East

Beirut – The trial of the suspects behind the twin bombings at the al-Taqwa and al-Salam mosques in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli in 2013 will kick off in May. The Judicial Council announced that the trial will begin on May 19. The bombings on August 21, 2013...

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Israel is considering building a railway between Gaza and Israel to end the siege of the coastal strip. (Getty Images)

Israel Studies Options to End Gaza Siege in Exchange of Halt in Rocket Attacks

by Kifah Ziboun | Apr 30, 2017 | Middle East

Ramallah – Israel is working on a new plan to expand the Beit Hanoun (Erez) border crossing with the Gaza Strip, which includes establishing a railroad track between Israel and the enclave. The track would be the first of its kind should it be approved. Israeli...

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Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead a mass in Cairo, Egypt April 29, 2017. (Reuters)

Pope Concludes Cairo Visit with Prayer to Wash Grief of Palm Sunday Attack Victims

by Waleed Abdul Rahman | Apr 30, 2017 | Middle East

Cairo – Vatican’s Pope Francis headed on Saturday a seminary, before concluding his visit to Cairo. Pope Francis arrived at the Air Defense Stadium in New Cairo to great applause from the waiting crowd. He started his Mass with the “As-Salaam Alaikum,” the...

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Smoke rises following an airstrike in western Mosul in the ongoing battle against ISIS. (AFP)

Iraqi Forces Open New Front West of Mosul

by Dalshad Abdullah | Apr 30, 2017 | Middle East

Mosul – Iraqi forces, backed by airstrikes by the international coalition and Iraqi air force, opened a new front in the battle for the city of Mosul. An officer in the Iraqi army, who chose to remain anonymous, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the new front has been opened...

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov greets his Jordanian counterpart Ayman al-Safadi in Moscow. (Reuters)

Moscow Prepared to Work with Washington against ‘Terrorism’ in Syria

by Taha Abed alWahed | Apr 30, 2017 | Middle East

Moscow – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed on Saturday the importance of exerting efforts to combat terrorism in Syria. He said during talks with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman al-Safadi in Moscow that Russia is prepared to cooperate with the United...