BEIRUT (AP) — Heavy fighting broke out Monday between rival jihadi groups in an oil-rich eastern Syrian province bordering Iraq, forcing many residents to flee, activists said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting concentrated on the eastern...

The foreign ministry said Monday that France and Germany intend to prevent Syrians living in their countries from voting in Syria's presidential election, expected to return President Bashar al-Assad to power. Germany and France are "preventing Syrians living in their territory...

Syria's presidential election campaign, launched at the weekend, has transformed the streets of Damascus into a glorification of incumbent Bashar al-Assad, who is expected to easily win the June 3 vote. On the streets, parks and buildings of the city, barely a wall can be seen...

Jordan, home to many Islamic and Christian holy sites, hopes a visit this month by Pope Francis will promote religious tourism and boost an industry hit hard by regional turmoil. Tourism contributes 12 percent of gross domestic product in the desert kingdom and last year saw...