Breaking news from the MIDDLE EAST

SYRIA

Syria’s Assad says Europe will ‘pay price’ for arming rebels

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned European powers on Monday that they will “pay the price” if they send weapons to rebel forces seeking to topple him. Such a move would lead to terrorism in Europe, he told a German magazine.

DIPLOMACY

Syria conflict casts shadow as G8 summit opens

As the G8 summit opened in Northern Ireland on Monday, the conflict in Syria overshadowed the economic issues on the agenda, with Obama and Putin holding tense talks over their opposing stances.

SYRIA

Syria slams Egypt for breaking off ties

The Syrian government on Sunday criticised Egypt's decision to cut diplomatic ties with Damascus as "irresponsible", accusing President Morsi of cozying up to the United States and Israel.

HAARETZ

Biased Wikipedia editing in Israel raises concerns of political meddling

An employee of a right-wing Israeli NGO has been accused of making biased edits to the English-language Wikipedia page on the Israeli-Arab conflict, raising concerns that political outfits are misusing the website to promote their own interests.

SYRIA

Syria, Russia dismiss US chemical weapons claims

After US President Barack Obama’s administration said it would supply Syrian rebels with military aid, Syria and Russia dismissed US intelligence claims that President Bashar al-Assad’s troops had used chemical weapons against rebels.

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SYRIA

Syrian death toll soars to at least 93,000, UN says

The bloody civil conflict in Syria has killed at least 93,000 people since it began 27 months ago, according to the UN human rights office, with the Damascus region and Aleppo the sites of the highest tolls in recent months.

FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE

Syrian crisis overshadows Iranian election campaign

Supporters of frontrunner Saeed Jalili confront the Syrian conflict on the 2013 Iranian election campaign trail as Iran prepares to vote in the July 14 presidential election. FRANCE 24 reports.

SYRIA

Twin suicide bombs target Damascus police station

Twin suicide bombs targeted a Damascus police station Tuesday, killing at least 14 people as the Syrian army attacked rebel positions in Aleppo. France's foreign ministry warned Tuesday that the conflict had reached a "turning point".

THE DEBATE

FRANCE 24 Debate: Could the conflict in Syria push Lebanon over the edge?

Could the spillover from Syria's civil war push neighbouring Lebanon over the edge? Watch FRANCE 24's special edition of the Debate from the Lebanese capital of Beirut at 7:10pm (GMT +2) Wednesday.

SYRIA - LEBANON

Man killed at Iranian embassy protest in Beirut

A Lebanese man was killed by gunfire outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut on Sunday during a protest against the role of militant movement Hezbollah in the Syria conflict. Both Iran and Hezbollah are key supporters of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

HAARETZ

Paris museum honours Palestinian suicide bombers

A Paris museum is exhibiting photos of Palestinian suicide bombers who the museum says "lost their lives fighting against the occupation”. France's Jewish community says those commemorated belonged to groups the EU has deemed terrorist organisations.

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PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Unity deal with Hamas a test for new Palestinian PM

New Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and his government were sworn in Thursday and now face the challenge of reaching a power-sharing deal with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers, who have called Hamdallah's appointment illegal.