Middle East News

On Thursday, federal regulators approved a request to add Al Jazeera English to the list of satellite services eligible to be distributed in Canada.

ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia: Iranian hajj pilgrims staged a peaceful protest without incident Thursday as millions of Muslims amassed for the peak of the world's largest pilgrimage.

Hundrends of Iraqi protesters demonstrate against the election law in the city of Mosul , 360 kilometers northwest of Baghdad , Iraq , on Wednesday, Nov.

Defense lawyers are alleging misconduct by Justice Department prosecutors in the case against one of five Blackwater security guards accused in the killings of 17 Iraqis in Baghdad.

Dubai will ask creditors of two of its flagship firms for a standstill on debt worth billions of dollars as a first step towards restructuring Dubai World, the conglomerate which spearheaded the emirate's breakneck growth.

Lebanon's new cabinet has agreed on a policy statement that acknowledges Hezbollah's right to use its weapons against Israel, despite disagreement by some members of the ruling majority, AFP reported.

Deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya denied on Thursday earlier statements of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas which said Hamas is holding secret talks with Israel, Xinhua reported.

The Palestinian Authority has reacted negatively to Israel's offer to temporarily restrict construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, BBC reported.

Iran and Libya, not Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime, were Britain's main security concerns before the invasion of Iraq, Foreign Office officials testified Wednesday at an inquiry probing Britain's role in the war, AP reported.

Azerbaijan, Baku, November 25 / Trend News, U.Sadikhova /

Days of Azerbaijani Culture will be held in Egypt in January 2010, as well as there are plans to hold the fourth session of the inter-governmental commission on cooperation between the two countries, Azerbaijani ambassador to Cairo Faig Bagirov told Trend News.

The Palestinian Authority has reacted negatively to Israel's offer to temporarily restrict construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, BBC reported.

Azerbaijan, Baku, November 25 / Trend News, U.Sadikhova /

First Lady of Egypt Susan Mubarak was conferred the rank of an honorary doctor of Azerbaijan Economic University. The Diploma of Honorary Doctor was handed by rector Shamsaddin Hajiyev during his visit to Egypt, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Egypt Faig Bagirov told Trend News.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a 10-month freeze on West Bank settlement construction in what he says is an attempt to jumpstart Mideast peace talks, AP reported.

Islamic religious authorities have begun tightening their grip on Iranian public schools, a report said Wednesday, as hard-liners expand an ideological "soft war" against Western influence.

Eight St. Louis area men have pleaded guilty to federal charges for selling stolen goods at five St.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - An international human rights group has urged a Saudi court to overturn a death sentence imposed on a Lebanese man convicted of practicing witchcraft.

The Prime Minister's Office is expected to announce Wednesday a 10-month freeze on construction in settlements in the West Bank, sources in the American administration told Haaretz.

Top Israeli diplomats have made a rare visit to the Persian Gulf state of Oman this week to discuss Middle East peace efforts, said a senior Omani official Wednesday, AP reported.

In this Feb 26 file photo, Israeli soldiers wear gas mask as they take part in a home front command army drill simulating a chemical missile attack at an army base near Tel Aviv.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday accused US President Barack Obama of doing "nothing" to achieve peace in the Middle East. Speaking to Argentinian newspaper Clarin, Abbas said he hoped that Obama would "take a more important role in the future."