6:16pm

Pressure grows to arm Syria rebels

Intervention by the west and Arab states risks escalating conflict

4:30pm

Uncertainty hampers business in Libya

Foreign companies reluctant to restart operations

11:02am

Blasts kill 28 in Syrian city of Aleppo

State media blame ‘terrorists’ for explosions

From COMMENT 10:37pm

A denial of justice made in Strasbourg

Britain has every reason to challenge ECHR judgment

IRAN 9:03pm

Iranians fear censorship over blocked internet

Web problems blamed on crackdown ahead of protest anniversary

From COMMENT 8:55pm

Mubarak cronies are looting Egypt’s dreams

The old regime runs the show, says Alaa Al Aswany

Feb 9, 2012

Syrian opposition seeks to calm forces divide

Bid to bolster armed opposition to Assad regime

MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & SOCIETY Feb 9, 2012

Twitter ‘apostasy’ threatens Saudi web culture

Level of condemnation may lead to caution among social networkers

Feb 9, 2012

Syrian forces continue assault on Homs

Regime accused of ‘appalling brutality’ against opponents

MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & SOCIETY Feb 9, 2012

Egypt’s proposal threatens to suffocate NGOs

Restrictions would strengthen authorities’ control

Feb 9, 2012

Libya ‘cannot stop’ fighters joining Syria rebels

Tripoli takes hard line against Assad regime

Feb 9, 2012

Turkey plans conference on Syrian crisis

Ankara seeks to develop road map to deal with conflict

From ASIA-PACIFIC Feb 9, 2012

China opens door to Syrian opposition

Move comes after Beijing criticised for vetoing UN vote on Assad

Feb 9, 2012

Assault on Homs enters sixth day

Estimates of 300 dead in week of bombardment

Feb 8, 2012

Putin gives clue to veto of Syria sanctions

PM raises spectre of Arab spring reaching Russia

Feb 8, 2012

Egypt unbowed by US aid threat

Cairo to press on with case against US workers

From COMMENT Feb 8, 2012

Time to alter wishful thinking on Islamism

Islamist parties will eventually govern like Tehran or Hamas, writes Ayaan Hirsi Ali

MIDDLE EASTERN FINANCE Feb 8, 2012

Saudi sukuk success boosts bond hopes

Bumper year looms after $4bn debt sale

MIDDLE EASTERN FINANCE Feb 8, 2012

Cautious optimism over Dubai’s debt

Hopes are high that refinancing talks will succeed

Feb 8, 2012

Economic balance shifts over Middle East

China and India are moving the world’s production centre

Highlights