Riyadh welcomed Tuesday Washington's blacklisting of arch-rival Tehran's elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, state media reported.

Bouteflika Ally Named Algeria's First New President in 20 Years

Algerian lawmakers appointed a regime stalwart as the country's first new president in two decades Tuesday, dismaying protesters seeking sweeping change following the resignation of veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika. 

The US State Department Monday barred entry to 16 Saudi nationals over what it described as their role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as the administration of Donald Trump continues to face harsh criticism over its handling of the affair.

Israelis voted Tuesday in a high-stakes election that will decide whether to extend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long right-wing tenure despite corruption allegations or to replace him with an ex-military chief new to politics.

The vote was expected to be close and likely lead to frantic negotiations to form a coalition once results are in, with opinion polls having shown Netanyahu best placed to do so.

The Syrian government condemned as irresponsible a U.S. decision on Monday to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards a "terrorist group," calling it a "badge of honor" for the Islamic republic.

Arab countries met at the United Nations on Monday to discuss President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan but no decision was taken on tabling a U.N. resolution condemning the U.S. move, diplomats said.

The U.N. envoy to Libya denounced an air strike Monday on Tripoli's only functioning airport which he blamed on strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces.

The United Nations called Monday for an investigation into the deaths of 11 civilians including students in Yemen's capital, where rebels accused a Saudi-led coalition of carrying out a deadly air strike.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which lead a military coalition against the Huthi rebels in Yemen, offered Monday $200 million in aid to the country for the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Israelis vote in a closely fought general election on Tuesday in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term.