Miliband to discuss Middle East with Syrian President, calls for continuation of Hamas-Israel truce.

Sultanate of Oman establishes its first-ever human rights commission with autonomous legal apparatus.

US Navy says Saudi-owned oil super tanker under control of pirates, hijackers demands unknown.

Israel’s desire to seal off Gaza and terrorise its civilian population predates even Hamas’s election victory, notes Jonathan Cook.

Obama would be foolish to imagine that Petraeus can work a miracle cure in Afghanistan. The cancer has spread too far and is affecting US troops as well, notes Tariq Ali.

James Zogby tries to calm the fears of Arab Americans about Barack Obama's first appointment, Rahm Emanuel, to White House Chief of Staff, notes Remi Kanazi.

US President-elect is determined to crush Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, shut down Guantanamo Bay camp.

US Navy claims pirates attack, seize Saudi-owned large crude carrier off east coast of Africa.

Country’s second biggest lender decides its capital to raise amount equal to losses made on derivatives deals.

Palestinian President is expected to press Israel PM on resuming desperately needed food, fuel.

IAEA chief calls on Syria, Israel to cooperate more, says there is still work to do on Syrian nuclear issue.

Sleiman will head to Islamic republic next week as visit’s details remain undisclosed.

Somali PM accuses Yusuf of refusing to approve new cabinet list in bid to restore stability in Samalia.

Kirchner holds talks with her Algerian counterpart on bolstering trade as she tours North Africa.

Most markets rise slightly while bourses of Kuwait, Dubai continue to trade in negative territory.

Oil minister says his country will not hesitate to slash production if OPEC decides agrees to cut output.

The international community has been criminally indifferent to Israel’s cruel behaviour towards the captive Palestinians, both in Gaza and the West Bank. It is starting to react now, as hope is awakened by the election of Barack Obama, says Patrick Seale.

We must sort out the real causes of conflict in the Middle East from the manufactured stresses and imagined threats of the many ideological warriors on both sides who still plague and hamper us all, says Rami G. Khouri.

Disagreements between US military, Iraqi officials on number of dead during explosions that rock country.

Oxfam joins United Nations, European Union, Amnesty International in calling for lift of siege on Gaza.

Saudi share prices fall by nearly three percent as all sectors go in red except for hotels, tourism.

US intelligence officials say financial crisis could threaten survival of ‘friendly’ governments in Middle East.