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Abbas Says Palestinians 'Cut All Ties' with Israel, US

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Saturday announced a cut in all ties with Israel and the United States, including security cooperation.

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Stalemate over Iraq PM Pick as Deadline Looms

A deadline set by Iraq's president for parliament to name a new premier was set to expire Saturday amid renewed pressure from the street after influential cleric Moqtada Sadr called for fresh protests.

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Yemen's Huthi Rebels in Possession of New Arms, UN Report Says

Yemen's Huthi rebels are in possession of new weapons similar to those produced in Iran, according to a UN report obtained by AFP on Friday, in potential violation of a UN arms embargo.

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Amended UN Draft Resolution Calls for Withdrawal of Mercenaries in Libya

The United Kingdom sent its fellow Security Council members an amended draft resolution on Libya Friday, calling for the withdrawal of mercenaries from the country, according to the text, seen by AFP.

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France Arrests Top Syrian Islamist Group Member on War Crimes Charges

A senior member of Syrian Islamist armed group Jaysh al-Islam has been arrested in France and charged with war crimes and torture, a judicial source told AFP on Friday.

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Syria Regime on Verge of Recapturing Idlib Highway Town

Syrian regime forces were poised Friday to retake the rebel-held town of Saraqeb in the country's northwest where battles this week killed more than 400 combatants, a monitor said.

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In Former Syria Rebel Stronghold, Nothing was Spared

Once the throbbing heart of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Maaret al-Numan is an eerie ghost town where few buildings have been spared by nine years of war.

Following a major ground offensive, the Syrian army captured the town in the northwestern province of Idlib on Wednesday, a key prize in its push to reconquer the country's last rebel enclave.

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Top Iraq Cleric Urges Elections 'as Soon as Possible'

Iraq's top Shiite cleric called Friday for parliamentary elections "as soon as possible" to ease the political crisis gripping the country since anti-government protests erupted four months ago. 

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US Soldiers Hurt in Iran Missile Strike up to 64, Says Pentagon

The number of US troops injured by an Iranian missile strike in Iraq this month has risen to 64, according to new figures released by the Pentagon.

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Erdogan Hits Out at Some Arab Countries' 'Treason' over Trump Plan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday blasted several Arab countries for backing a Middle East peace plan unveiled by the United States, condemning it as "treason."

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