Lebanon's Sunnis flock to Salafist sheikh's banner

In less than a year, Salafist sheikh Ahmad Al-Assir has become one of the most vocal personalities in the Lebanese Sunni community. Deprived of a leader by the prolonged absence of Saad Hariri, and frustrated by the domination of armed Shiite party Hezbollah, the Sunni street is increasingly receptive to the preacher's warlike message. On November 11th, two of his followers were killed in fighting with Hezbollah gunmen. This report is from Sunni stronghold and Lebanon's third city, Sidon.

FOCUS

21/08/2009 - GLOBAL CRISIS

Eastern Europe's economic woes

The financial crisis is taking a heavy toll in central and Eastern Europe, where the downturn brought an economic boom to a grinding and painful halt. Focus investigates how Romania is cutting costs to battle the effects of the global recession.

AFGHANISTAN

The fight against opium

Opium and heroin trafficking in Afghanistan is a considerable source of revenue for the Taliban, but they are not the only ones who profit from it. In the meantime, the United States have radically changed their strategy in the war on drugs...

20/08/2009 - AFGHANISTAN

Far from the bombs and the ballots, refugees look for a home

While Afghans back home vote in an election marred by violence, thousands of refugees are looking for asylum abroad. Here in a Paris park, Afghans refugees have joined Iranians and Kurds in setting up a makeshift camp.

IRAQ

Carnage on the streets of Baghdad

The recent spate of deadly bomb attacks across Baghdad is seen in some quarters as an attempt to destabilise the government and undermine confidence in its ability to provide security. The attacks were the worst seen in the capital for months.

INDONESIA

Afghan refugees' fraught route to Australia

Afghans account for the vast majority of the 1,600 asylum seekers presently in Indonesia. They are hoping to reach Australia, but for many the journey is riddled with obstacles.

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