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Countries press Syria on Lebanon matter 
AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 10:09 AM
France and Germany on Tuesday urged Syria to stop supporting forces that "want to destabilize Lebanon," and said Damascus could enjoy warmer relations with Europe if it helps revive stalled Middle East peace efforts.France and Germany send tough message to Syria AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 4:50 AM
France and Germany have turned up the pressure on Syria, telling Damascus to stop destabilising Lebanon as mass protests against Prime Minister Fuad Siniora entered a fifth day.Germany, France urge Syria to 'stop destabilising Lebanon' AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 3:21 AM
Germany and France have issued a joint call to Syria to "stop supporting forces that seek to destabilise Lebanon and the region".Bush warns Shiite leader over Iran, Syria roles in Iraq AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 04 10:52 PM
US President George W. Bush told Iraqi Shiite leader Abdel Aziz al-Hakim that Iran and Syria must halt their "destructive activity" in Iraq, a Bush aide said.U.S. encourages Iraq to have security dialogue with Iran, Syria People's Daily - Dec 05 5:53 PM
The United States said on Tuesday that it encourages Iraq to hold security talks with Iran and Syria after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced plans to organize a regional conference on fighting terrorism.French, German leaders urge Syria not to "destabilize" Lebanon People's Daily - Dec 05 4:53 PM
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac urged Syria on Tuesday not to meddle in Lebanon and sabotage peace and stability in the region.Bush, Iraqi Shiite leader discuss Iran, Syria roles AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 04 2:56 PM
US President George W. Bush told a powerful Iraqi Shiite leader with ties to Tehran that Iran and Syria must halt "destructive activity" that weakens Iraq's fragile government, an aide said.Don't sacrifice fragile Lebanon to curry favor with Syria Chicago Sun-Times - Dec 05 2:25 AM
Once again Syria is a prime suspect in the murder of a Lebanese leader, this time Pierre Gemayel, the Lebanese cabinet member and an outspoken critic of Syria's meddling in Lebanon who was assassinated last month in broad daylight. The motive?Sudan: SEC Queries Ford's Operations in Sudan And Syria AllAfrica.com - Dec 05 8:20 AM
Federal regulators have pressed Ford Motor for information about its business in Syria and Sudan, which are under economic sanctions or other controls for being state sponsors of terrorism.Merkel, Chirac urge Syria not to meddle in Lebanon AlertNet - Dec 05 3:40 AM
Source: Reuters (Adds details, quotes) METTLACH, Germany, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The leaders of France and Germany urged Syria on Tuesday not to interfere in Lebanon but to contribute constructively to efforts aimed at ... Merkel, Chirac urge Syria not to meddle in Lebanon AlertNet - Dec 05 3:11 AM
Source: Reuters METTLACH, Germany, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The leaders of France and Germany urged Syria on Tuesday not to interfere in Lebanon but to contribute constructively to efforts aimed at bringing peace and ... FRANCE AND GERMANY SEND TOUGH MESSAGE TO SYRIA The Tocqueville Connection - Dec 05 4:48 AM
METTLACH, Germany, Dec 5, 2006 (AFP) - France and Germany turned up the pressure on Syria on Tuesday, telling Damascus to stop destabilising Lebanon as mass protests against Prime Minister Fuad Siniora entered a fifth day.Merkel, Chirac urge Syria not to meddle in Lebanon Khaleej Times - Dec 05 4:29 AM
METTLACH, Germany - The leaders of France and Germany urged Syria on Tuesday not to interfere in Lebanon but to contribute constructively to efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability to its neighbour.GERMANY, FRANCE URGE SYRIA TO 'STOP DESTABILISING LEBANON' The Tocqueville Connection - Dec 05 3:18 AM
METTLACH, Germany, Dec 5, 2006 (AFP) - Germany and France on Tuesday issued a joint call to Syria to "stop supporting forces that seek to destabilise Lebanon and the region".(AFX UK Focus) 2006-12-05 14:49 GMT: Croatia's INA starts test gas production at Palmyra fields, Syria Interactive Investor - Dec 05 7:13 AM
LONDON (AFX) - INA-Industrija Nafte dd, the recently AIM-listed Croatian national oil and gas company, said it has started test gas production from the Palmyra field, Syria.GERMANY URGES SYRIA TO REFRAIN FROM UNDERMINING STABILITY IN LEBANON Financial Times - Dec 04 6:13 PM
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's foreign minister, called on Syria yesterday to avoid actions that undermine political stability in Lebanon, write Hugh Williamson in Berlin and Joachim Zepelin in Damascus.Bush warns Shia leader over Iran, Syria roles in Iraq Khaleej Times - Dec 04 7:19 PM
WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush told Iraqi Shia leader Abdel Aziz Al Hakim Monday that Iran and Syria must halt their destructive activity in Iraq, a Bush aide said.Canada: Suspect tortured despite warning AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 4:24 PM
Canadian police said Tuesday they had told U.S. authorities they had no evidence an Ottawa software engineer was an al-Qaida agent before Washington deported him to Syria, where he was tortured.Germany urges Syria to use its influence on allies AlertNet - Dec 04 9:26 AM
Source: Reuters (Adds Assad remarks, paragraph 9) By Noah Barkin and Mazen Samaan DAMASCUS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Germany urged Syria on Monday to use its influence with its Lebanese and Palestinian allies to help ... Bush braces for report, backs Iraq security outreach AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 3:47 PM
US President George W. Bush got a preview of a high-powered commission's report on overhauling his Iraq strategy, as the White House encouraged Baghdad to talk security with Iran and Syria.Top Mountie under pressure to quit job Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 2:18 PM
Canada's top Mountie, under heavy fire for botching the case of a man deported to Syria by U.S. agents, came under immense pressure to resign on Tuesday after he admitted to misleading legislators about the affair.Germany urges Syria to use its influence on allies AlertNet - Dec 04 7:55 AM
Source: Reuters By Noah Barkin and Mazen Samaan DAMASCUS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Germany urged Syria on Monday to use its influence with its Lebanese and Palestinian allies to help maintain Lebanon's stability and ... Canada's top Mountie savaged over deportation case Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 12:03 PM
Canada's top Mountie, under heavy fire for botching the case of a man deported to Syria by U.S. agents, came under fresh pressure to resign on Tuesday after he admitted to misleading legislators about the affair.Germany urges Syria's help with Lebanon UPI - Dec 04 8:07 AM
DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged his Syrian counterpart in Damascus on Monday to prevent further destabilization of Lebanon.Merkel and Chirac soften call for Turkey EU deadline AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 11:11 AM
Germany and France backed away from their call to set a firm deadline for Turkey over its troubled EU candidacy as they warned Syria not to destabilise Lebanon.Can Syria And Iran Help The US And UK Leave Iraq by Mark N. Katz UPI Correspondent Washington (UPI) Dec 01, 2006 Space War - Dec 03 8:26 PM
One idea being floated for resolving the conflict in Iraq is for the United States to get help in doing this from Iran and Syria -- two governments that Washington has long had hostile relations with. It is highly doubtful this will work.Iran and Syria The New Zealand Herald - Dec 05 8:08 AM
Hakim has said all communities have a place in Iraq but SCIRI, which retains close ties with US adversaries in Shi'ite Iran, also strongly defends the principle of Shi'ite majority rule.Palestinian PM meets Syria's Assad Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 04 6:54 AM
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday to discuss efforts to form a unity government, the official SANA news agency said.Opinion: Merely a Polite Exchange Between Germany and Syria Deutsche Welle - Dec 05 6:22 AM
Monday's meeting in Damascus between German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was merely a formal exchange of opinions and admonitions, says Deutsche Welle's Nina Werkhäuser.US Strategy Review Wants Iraq Pull-Out Sky News via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
A review of US strategy in Iraq is expected to call for the "phased withdrawal" of American forces. The Iraq Study Group is also expected to recommend involving Iran and Syria in finding a peaceful solution in Iraq.Syria Invites Armenia to Arab League as Observer PanARMENIAN.Net - Dec 05 5:38 AM
Armenia, Iran and Turkey expressed their desire to become observers at the League of Arab Nations, stated Syrian Temporary Chargés d Affaires in Armenia.China eases past Malaysia, Japan labors through Syria People's Daily - Dec 03 6:35 PM
Chinese soccer team downed Malaysia 3- 1, while Japan ground out a 1-0 win over Syria in the second round of Doha Asian Games in Doha on Sunday.Bush meets Shiite leader Hakim as Iraq toll mounts AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 04 4:12 PM
US President George W. Bush told Iraqi Shiite leader Abdel Aziz al-Hakim that Iran and Syria must halt their "destructive activity" in Iraq, a Bush aide said, as the toll from sectarian violence jumped and US casualties also rose sharply.Asian Games: Hirayama the hero as Japan see off Syria Kyodo via Yahoo! Asia News - Dec 03 9:33 AM
_ Sota Hirayama struck the winner as Japan's Under-21s beat Syria 1-0 to make it two wins out of two in Group F in the soccer tournament at the Asian Games on Sunday.Moderately Busy Undertone in Ag Market Ag Report - Dec 05 8:02 AM
CHICAGO - Dec 5/06 - SNS -- International agriculture commodity markets had a relatively buys undertone, with Syria reporting wheat sales to Italy and Egypt; while China bought soybeans from the United States.Syrian champ Almasri may swim for Germany The Electric New Paper - Dec 05 2:17 PM
SWIMMER Rafd Zyad Almasri clinched Syria's first gold medal of the Asian Games in Doha yesterday but then revealed he could switch allegiance at the Bejiing Olympics in 2008.Bush may face Iraq change recommendation AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 04 12:04 PM
It would take a major policy shift for the Bush administration to expand its sporadic dialogue with two old foes, Iran and Syria, as the Iraq study commission is expected to recommend.Paris, Berlin accuse Damascus of orchestrating crisis in Beirut The Daily Star Lebannon - Dec 05 1:07 PM
Germany and France backed embattled Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's Cabinet Tuesday, telling Syria to stop destabilizing Lebanon. As opposition protests in Downtown Beirut to force the government to resign entered their fifth day, the German chancellor and French president issued a joint statement asking Damascus.Shiite leader sees no role for Iraq's neighbors Los Angeles Times - Dec 05 12:21 AM
WASHINGTON The leader of a key Shiite Muslim faction in the Iraqi government told President Bush on Monday that his country's problems could not be solved by enlisting the help of Iran and Syria, as a blue-ribbon commission is expected to recommend.RCMP chief changes story, claims he didn't know of key error in Arar case Canada.com - Dec 05 2:50 PM
RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli. (CPimages) OTTAWA (CP) - RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli is offering a revised version of what he knew and when he knew it in the Maher Arar affair - pleading ignorance about a key mistake that contributed to Arar's deportation to Syria.Gates favours 'open channels' with Iran News Interactive - Dec 05 10:21 AM
US defence secretary-designate Robert Gates today said he favoured keeping open channels with Syria and Iran, but said in Tehran's case at least, he doubted dialogue would bear fruit.Syria's private sector, Iranian company implement power plant project Islamic Republic News Agency - Dec 03 7:54 AM
Syria - Power Plant - Iran For the first time, a power plant project is being implemented by Syria's private sector with participation of Iran's Azarab Company.MERKEL AND CHIRAC SOFTEN CALL FOR TURKEY EU DEADLINE The Tocqueville Connection - Dec 05 11:03 AM
METTLACH, Germany, Dec 5, 2006 (AFP) - Germany and France on Tuesday backed away from their call to set a firm deadline for Turkey over its troubled EU candidacy as they warned Syria not to destabilise Lebanon.Iraqi spurns regional effort Baltimore Sun - Dec 05 4:24 AM
Shiite leader allies with Bush in opposing talks with Syria, Iran With a blue-ribbon commission about to urge President Bush to seek help from Iran and Syria in Iraq, a Iraqi Shiite leader with ties to Tehran said in the Oval Office yesterday that his country's problems could not be solved through such regional or international efforts. Coming Clash Over Iraq Policy consortiumnews.com - Dec 05 10:24 AM
The Baker Commission report calls for a phased withdrawal of combat forces in Iraq and for the United States to talk to adversarial neighboring countries that is, Iran and Syria about playing a more constructive role in that country s civil war.Iraqi Premier Moves to Plan Regional Talks New York Times - 2 hours, 39 minutes ago
The announcement added momentum to calls for a regional approach to quell the increasingly anarchic war in Iraq.Senate committee approves Gates nomination CNN.com - 29 minutes ago
The Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously approved President Bush's nomination of Robert Gates to be defense secretary Tuesday and sent it to the full Senate for approval, the committee's outgoing chairman said.Germany and France urge Syria to \'stop destabilising Lebanon\' Sharewatch - Dec 05 2:56 AM
\"France and Germany call for an end to all interference in the affairs of Lebanon,\" German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac said after meeting in Mettlach in western Germany.Key day on Iraq as report unveiled USA Today - 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
President Bush Wednesday receives a high-profile report suggesting new approaches for the Iraq war, a day after a Senate committee signaled it wants change by unanimously approving Robert Gates to replace Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.Panel To Urge Pressure On Iraq Washington Post - 2 hours, 10 minutes ago
The bipartisan Iraq Study Group plans to recommend to President Bush that he threaten to reduce economic and military support for Iraq's government if it fails to meet specific benchmarks intended to improve security in the country, a source familiar with the report said yesterday.Israel: Turkish Attempts Unlikely To Succeed India Daily - Dec 05 8:24 AM
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said Dec. 5 he is pessimistic about the possibility of Turkish efforts to engage Syria and Iran in peace talks for the Middle East succeeding.Senate panel OKs Gates as Defense secretary USA Today - 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
President Bush's nominee for secretary of Defense told a Congressional committee Tuesday that he agreed to replace Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld so he could help shape a new course in Iraq, not "to be a bump on a log." Robert Gates said he expected President Bush to listen to his advice even when he disagreed.Olmert's motive for providing the Saudis with an unwarranted propaganda victory in the US and Israel is understandable Jewish World Review - Dec 05 1:42 AM
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | The world has gone mad. As Lebanon teeters on the brink of Iranian and Syrian instigated collapse, senior American and British political officials urge President George W. Bush to hand Iraq over to Iran and Syria.Iraq prime minister seeks conferences to stem carnage CNN.com - 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday proposed holding regional and domestic conferences aimed at national unity and stability, as dozens of Iraqis died in several attacks in Baghdad and Diyala province.Middle East Turns on Iraq, Nominee Says New York Times - 1 hour, 57 minutes ago
Following are excerpts from the opening statement and testimony under questioning of Robert M. Gates, President Bush?s nominee to be defense secretary, in an appearance yesterday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, as transcribed by the Federal News Service. Mr. Gates spoke at length about the regional implications of the course of events in Iraq.Truth, justice, and the un-American way The Christian Science Monitor - Dec 04 2:34 PM
Congress should ensure that what happened to Maher Arar, a Canadian-Syrian citizen rendered to Syria by the US, never happens again. In shift, Al-Maliki says Iraq will hold regional conference USA Today - 2 hours, 33 minutes ago
In a dramatic reversal, Iraq's prime minister announced Tuesday he will dispatch envoys to neighboring countries to explore the possibility of a regional conference on ending the violence here despite opposition to the plan by some key political allies.Iraq Study Group to meet Bush before unveiling report CNN.com - 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
Before making its recommendations on Iraq strategy public, a bipartisan group that has spent months studying the situation will meet with President Bush on Wednesday morning.Al-Maliki to call for regional meeting AP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Iraq's prime minister reversed course Tuesday and said his envoys will talk with Iraq's neighbors about the possibility of a regional conference on quelling the violence here, despite opposition to the plan by some key political allies.Defense Nominee Gains Approval of Senate Panel New York Times - 2 hours, 27 minutes ago
Robert M. Gates testified that the U.S. was not winning in Iraq and that failure could ignite ?a regional conflagration? in the Middle East.With Street Protests, Hezbollah Gambles in Quest for Dominance Washington Post - Dec 05 6:26 PM
BEIRUT, Dec. 5 -- Hezbollah has entered territory uncharted in its 24-year history as armed militia, social welfare group and nascent political party, effectively seeking an unprecedented, decisive say in Lebanese politics to protect what it sees as its interests from foes at home and abroad.Senate panel OKs Gates for defense post AP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 43 minutes ago
Robert Gates, seemingly clinching confirmation as the new secretary of defense, said Tuesday the United States is not winning in Iraq and he's confident President Bush will listen to his ideas about forging a new war strategy.The Un-Rumsfeld New York Times - 2 hours, 56 minutes ago
Robert Gates offered just enough candor and conciliation to persuade most senators that he plans to be a very different sort of defense secretary, while deftly holding back any real information about how he plans to clean up President Bush?s mess in Iraq.US not winning in Iraq, US defense nominee says AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 2:52 PM
A key Senate panel approved Robert Gates as the next US defense secretary after a hearing in which he said the United States was not winning the war in Iraq and warned of the risk of a "regional conflagration."Beirut protesters celebratory but serious USA Today - Dec 05 4:49 PM
At first glance, Beirut's commercial district could be mistaken for an outdoor rock concert or Boy Scout Jamboree. But look closer: Armored vehicles have roadblocks around the camp. Lebanon's political crisis enters its sixth day Wednesday with no signs of abating.Iraq panel to urge new policy Wednesday AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 4:36 PM
The Bush administration signaled differences Tuesday with some of the recommendations of a commission exploring new approaches in Iraq but said there was support for many of the proposals as well.And Now, The Fabulous Baker Boys Investor's Business Daily via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 4:00 PM
World War III: As the report of the Iraq Study Group is released, it is worth noting that James Baker several times before did the bidding of tyrants and sold out seekers of freedom and democracy in the Middle East.Bungled terror case could cost Canada's top cop his job AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 3:56 PM
Opposition lawmakers called for the country's top policeman to resign after he admitted he misled them during their investigation of a bungled terror case earlier this year.U.S. not winning in Iraq: Gates Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 3:57 PM
Robert Gates, President George W. Bush's choice to take over the Pentagon, said on Tuesday America was not winning in Iraq and warned that the Middle East could explode into violence.Bush warns Hakim over neighbours role in Iraq Middle East Online - Dec 04 11:52 PM
Iraqi Shiite leader wants good relations with Iran, Syria, says Iraq won t be security threat for them.Iran Blocks YouTube, N.Y. Times TechWeb via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 3:26 PM
Iran is also planning to boost surveillance of "harmful" text messages, said the press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders.Miles Mogulescu: Iraq: If It's Not HuffingtonPost - Dec 04 1:00 PM
A lot of plans for a "change of direction" in Iraq are being formulated. There's the 800 pound gorilla, the Baker Commission plan, which is scheduled to be released next Wednesday. Accordingly to leaked reports, it is likely to propose the "Iraqization" of the war, negotiations with Iran and Syria, and the redeployment of some troops either out of Iraq or to other parts of Iraq with no timetable Maliki Seeks Regional Meeting on Iraq Security Washington Post - Dec 05 2:24 PM
BAGHDAD, Dec. 5 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Tuesday for a regional conference on stabilizing his country but rejected a proposal from U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan that it take place outside Iraq. US panel to release Iraq review BBC News - 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
An American cross-party group charged with reviewing policy on Iraq is due to issue its long-awaited report.Iran blocks access to video-sharing on YouTube USA Today - Dec 05 2:14 PM
Iran has blocked access to the popular video-sharing website YouTube.com, and a media rights group warned Tuesday that Internet censorship in the Islamic state is on the rise.Iran blocks access to YouTube.com AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 1:54 PM
Iran has blocked access to the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube.com, and a media rights group warned Tuesday that Internet censorship in the Islamic state is on the rise.Bush gets outline of Iraq Study Group report Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 1:23 PM
President Bush was briefed on a bipartisan panel's findings on Iraq on Tuesday but the White House doubted the group's report would provide a "magic bullet" to quickly resolve the Iraq war.Iran Blocks Access to YouTube.com Washington Post - Dec 05 1:16 PM
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran has blocked access to the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube.com, and a press rights group warned on Tuesday that Internet censorship in the Islamic state is on the rise. German FM Calls on Syria to Prevent Instability in Lebanon Israel National News - Dec 04 10:30 AM
(IsraelNN.com) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a visit to Damascus called on Syrian leaders to do what they can to prevent instability in Lebanon.U.S. not winning the war in Iraq, says Pentagon nominee International Herald Tribune - Dec 05 12:47 PM
Robert Gates, President Bush's nominee for defense secretary, said Tuesday that a serious mishandling of Iraq could lead to a "regional conflagration."McCain Stands Tall RealClearPolitics.com via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 12:30 PM
"I understand the polls show only 18 percent of the American people support my position. But I have to do what's right, what I believe is right and what my experience and knowledge and background tells me is the right thing to do in order to save this situation in Iraq... In war, my dear friends, there's no such thing as compromise. You either win or you lose." - Sen. John McCainUS not winning in Iraq : Rumsfeld replacement AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 9:24 AM
US defense secretary nominee Robert Gates admitted the United States is not winning the war in Iraq, and said he was open to all options to stop the conflict spiralling into regional chaos.Lebanese come together to honor diva AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 12:44 PM
Her voice brought together under one roof both supporters of the beleaguered government and opponents trying to topple it. Yet in this tense country, sharp disputes break out even at a performance by Fairouz, Lebanon's premier diva and the star of a musical about a corrupt government.Iran blocks access to YouTube.com USA Today - Dec 05 12:40 PM
Iran has blocked access to the popular video-sharing website YouTube.com, and a press rights group warned on Tuesday that Internet censorship in the Islamic state is on the rise.Tears and anger at funeral on fifth day of Beirut protest AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 11:49 AM
A sea of angry mourners converged on southern Beirut for the funeral of a young Shiite murdered amid mass rallies aimed at toppling the government, which have sparked fears of new sectarian violence.Pentagon nominee seeks change as Iraq deaths mount Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 11:20 AM
President George W. Bush's choice for defense secretary on Tuesday embraced a new approach to ending the carnage in Iraq and said the whole region risked erupting in violence in the next two years.UK's Blair heads for U.S. to urge Middle East action Reuters via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 10:48 AM
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will urge President Bush to embrace a wider Middle East peace policy to help tackle the insurgency in Iraq when the two leaders meet in Washington on Thursday.Gates says U.S. is not winning Iraq war AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 11:48 AM
Robert Gates, the White House choice to be the next defense secretary, conceded Tuesday that the United States is not winning the war in Iraq and warned that if that country is not stabilized in the next year or two it could lead to a "regional conflagration."Israel shows readiness to extend truce to West Bank; Palestinian PM in Syria Al Bawaba - Dec 04 5:31 AM
Israel has moved to bolster the week-old truce with the Palestinians by ordering its forces operating in the occupied West Bank to avoid "unnecessary friction."Prodi Wants Dialogue With Iran and Syria to Calm Middle East Bloomberg.com - Dec 02 2:43 AM
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said a dialogue must be initiated with Syria and Iran to prevent Iraq from becoming ``a failed state'' that could throw the Middle East into further turmoil.White House seeks to keep Iraq expectations in check AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 10:50 AM
The White House worked to tamp down expectations of a major Iraq policy overhaul after US President George W. Bush receives a high-powered commission's report calling for "a new approach."Blair to discuss Iraq options with Bush AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 8:43 AM
Prime Minister Tony Blair travels to Washington on Wednesday for talks with US President George W. Bush, just as an eagerly-awaited report on options for violence-scarred Iraq is published.Israel minister wants pre-1967 borders shown in textbooks AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 8:17 AM
Israel's dovish Education Minister Yuli Tamir has said she wants school textbooks to show the country's borders from before the 1967 Middle East war, stirring a storm of controversy.Iran's Azareb to help build Syranian Power Plant IranMania.com - Dec 04 9:51 PM
LONDON, December 5 (IranMania) - For the first time, a power plant project is being implemented by Syria's private sector with participation of Iran's Azarab Company, according to an IRNA report.Arab silence allowed Iran influence in Iraq: FM AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 9:56 AM
Iran's influence over Iraq was made possible by the absence of decisive Arab involvement in the war-torn country, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari charged.Bush, Baker to discuss Iraq report AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 8:10 AM
US President George W. Bush will discuss a pending report calling for a new direction in Iraq with one of its lead authors, former US secretary of state James Baker, the White House said.Gates: U.S. Will Be In Iraq "A Long Time" The Nation via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 9:27 AM
The Nation -- Give Robert Gates credit for willingness to acknowledge the obvious.RCMP chief changes story, claims he didn't know of key error in Arar case CP via Yahoo! Canada News - Dec 04 4:02 PM
OTTAWA (CP) - RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli is offering a revised version of what he knew and when he knew it in the Maher Arar affair - pleading ignorance about a key mistake that contributed to Arar's deportation to Syria.Arabs urged to eject U.S. from bases AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 05 9:49 AM
Iran's top national security official urged Arabs on Tuesday to eject the U.S. military from bases in the region and instead join Tehran in a regional security alliance.Maliki Urges Regional Meeting on Stabilizing Iraq New York Times - Dec 05 9:18 AM
The idea is backed by the U.N. but is opposed by other Iraqi leaders, among them the country?s Kurdish president and Mr. Maliki?s chief Shiite rival.