Israel eased restrictions on shipping building materials into Gaza. In the West Bank, Arab League officials met with Palestinian Authority leaders to discuss the group’s financial crisis and find ways to restart the peace process.
Iran may be reconsidering position on Syria
Battle for Aleppo Shows Weaknesses of Both Sides
Assad said to be afraid and isolated as rule fades
President Morsi warned the opposition against creating unrest. The opposition accused Islamists of trying to muzzle dissent. The economy faltered. Police in Matruh seized a carload of ammunition smuggled across the border from Libya.
Iran began a second series of naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. The exercises were scheduled to last six days.
Russia urged the Assad regime and the opposition Syrian National Council to pursue peace talks. The opposition rejected the invitation. Two Air Force generals and three Syrian state journalists defected. Government forces began firing Iranian-made ballistic missiles.
Tunisia, Algeria sign security pact
The Rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Middle East
Algeria prepares for ‘guerrilla’ warfare
Al Azhar rises in new Egypt
Syrian moderates fear being edged out of uprising
UN envoy Brahimi proposed a peace plan that included a transitional government with executive powers until new elections could be held. The National Coalition said it would agree to any plan that excludes President Assad. Russia sought to revive an earlier peace plan without the stipulation.
Israel’s internal security service arrested 10 members of an armed cell of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Two suspects are charged with plotting to kidnap an Israeli soldier; the other eight face related terror charges.
Prosecutors ordered an investigation into opposition leaders over allegations that they planned to overthrow the government. An Islamist group in Sinai threatened to launch a crusade against drug use and cigarette smoking. Two ministers resigned over economic reforms.
Iranian power plants and industrial sites were hit by cyberattacks. Iran suggested that the attacks came from the US and Israel. Iran began a series of naval exercises.
At a summit in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the five other Gulf States — Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates — accused Iran of meddling in their internal affairs. Iran rejected the accusation. The Gulf States agreed to unify their military commands.
Egypt’s election committee announced that the referendum had approved a new constitution. President Morsi signed the constitution into law. A Freedom and Justice Party official said a cabinet reshuffle is likely.
After setbacks to the Assad regime, refugees in Jordan began returning to Syria join the rebellion. A senior general in charge of Syria’s military police defected to the rebels. Fighting over a military base on the Damascus-to-Aleppo highway intensified as rebels attempted to cut off government forces in the north.
As Envoy Meets Syria’s Assad, Russia Signals New Pessimism
UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met with President Assad but made little progress toward a negotiated solution for the civil war. Rebels surrounded three air bases in northern Syria but were unable to stop government jets from launching attacks. Russian advisers are manning some of Syria’s air defenses.
The Egyptian Army in northern Sinai thwarted an attempt to smuggle rockets into Gaza. Demonstrations were held in Cairo denouncing alleged rigging of the constitutional referendum. Egyptian judges began investigating the allegations.
Israel says Syria chemical weapons are secure for now
An airstrike by government jets killed 90 people in Hama province. Some 200 government troops guarding Damascus airport defected to the rebels.
As Egypt Constitution Passes, New Fights Lie Ahead
Egyptian voters approved a new constitution, preliminary results showing 64% voted in favor. Opposition groups claimed election fraud and said that they would continue their protests. An opposition coalition said it would form a single political party.
South Korea salvaged parts of a North Korean missile launched earlier this week. Officials said there was evidence that North Korea was working on an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the US and there was evidence of technological ties with Iran.
The US and Russia agreed to a political solution to Syria’s civil war. Moscow said it would accept President Assad’s departure. Countries in the region offered safe haven to Assad. Rebels threatened aircraft flying from Aleppo’s international airport.
Egyptian Vote on Constitution Sets Up New Stage of Factions’ Struggle
Egypt held its final round of voting on a draft constitution. Egypt’s Vice President announced his resignation. President Morsi appointed 90 members to the 279-member Shura Council.