Last July, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad seemed to be losing his battle against rebel forces. Speaking to supporters in Damascus, he acknowledged his army's heavy losses. Western officials said the Syrian leader’s days were numbered and predicted he would soon be forced to the...

Millions of Iranians voted in high-stake elections on Friday that could shift the balance of power within the hardline-controlled Islamic elite by ushering in a reformist comeback or help conservatives tighten their grip on power. The contest is seen by some analysts as a...

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian rebels thwarted Friday an attack carried out by the regime army and Shiite militias on the western countryside of Aleppo province, killing 10 troops, local reporter said. On Friday's down, regime forces backed by Shiite fighters took parts of Sheikh Aqeel town. But...

French oil giant Total has been convicted and fined in a retrial over corruption charges related to the UN's Oil-for-Food programme. The company had been among a number of firms and individuals accused of bribing Iraqi officials in exchange for contracts as part of the programme. Former Iraqi...