Damascus puts squeeze on militants amid accusations of extreme cruelty – RT

 

Syrian army has besieged the city of Al-Heffa, one of the remaining strongholds of the militants on the Syrian-Turkish border. UN Secretary-General demands observers to be let into the area while the US warns of another looming massacre.

Tahrir Trial: Mubarak gets life sentence for mass murder – RT

The former Egyptian president was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the killing of 225 anti-government demonstrators and wounding of more than 1,800 in January last year. His co-defendant security chiefs were acquitted.

Libya’s ‘non state’: Tribal war claims 50 lives

50 have been killed and dozens injured in Libya as tribal groups are fighting in the country’s south. After the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is left in a condition which some residents call a ‘non state’.

Many Syria solutions but little agreement in out-of-sync UN

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has pleaded for a divided Security Council to “pull back from the brink of a deeper catastrophe” over Syria. But as war continues to tear apart the Middle Eastern country, diplomatic unity is nowhere to be found.

Syrian talks fail, but Annan is “optimistic” -RT

The UN delegation led by Kofi Annan has completed the second round of talks with Syrian President Assad. The envoy said the mutual agreement between the government and the opposition would be hard to reach, but he is optimistic.

Libya ready to use force against eastern separatists -RT

Libya’s integrity will be defended by any means – even “with force” if needed – says Libyan “transitional” leader, Mustafa Abdel Jalil. His statement comes a day after the eastern tribal leaders declared autonomy for the region.

‘We won!’ Teary-eyed Putin proclaims victory

Presidential candidate Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (right to left) at a rally organized by the all-Russian People’s Front (ONF) and the “Network of Putin” movement on Manezh Square in Moscow. (RIA Novosti/Sergey Guneev)

Vladimir Putin, set to win a third presidential term, declared his victory and thanked his voters for their support. Polling at over 64 percent with over two thirds of the votes counted, victory seems assured.

Syria gears up for referendum

War-torn Syria is gearing up for an unprecedented referendum on a new draft constitution that would put an end to five decades of single-party rule. But the opposition is calling on the population to boycott the vote, which is set for Sunday.

New UN resolution unlikely to change Russia and China’s minds on Syria – RT

Laaska News  Feb. 12, 2012

Syria’s Ambassador to the UN Bashar al-Ja’fari on the floor before a vote on a resolution on Syria. (AFP Photo / Don Emmert)  – RT

A week after vetoes from Russia and China put an end to a UN resolution on Syria its supporters are coming back with another draft.

Up in arms: Iraqis say radicals are smuggling weapons to Syrian opposition

Laaska News  Feb. 12, 2012

Iraqi deputy interior minister Adnan al-Assadi told AFP that “weapons are being smuggled from Mosul through the Rabia crossing to Syria, as members of the same families live on both sides of the border.”