Scotland’s pro-independence camp did not need to form armed groups or practice ritual murders to declare their intention to secede from the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, they pushed forward their secessionist scheme, which would separate the two most populous nations in the United Kingdom for the fi
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Lebanese government is considering setting up “shelters” for existing Syrian refugees as it mulls the introduction of new measures banning the entry of Syrian nationals into the tiny Mediterranean country, a senior government official told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday. Sy
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt will jump 12 percent year-on-year by the end of 2014, an Egyptian diplomatic official in Riyadh told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday. Ahmed Zaki, the economic adviser at the Egyptian embassy in Riyadh, said Egypt expects bilateral tra
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority issued a statement on Wednesday reaffirming that terrorism is a “heinous crime, injustice and aggression” rejected by Islamic Shari’a law, as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on extremist ideology. The
Edinburgh, Reuters—On the eve of Scotland’s historic referendum, polls showed support for staying in the United Kingdom just ahead of backing for independence, but tens of thousands of citizens were still agonizing over which way to vote on Thursday. Leaders and supporters of both sides took t
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Gulf states are confident the diplomatic dispute between Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain will be resolved soon, due to the leading role being played in mediating the dispute by Saudi Arabia, the UAE’s foreign minister told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday. Speaking on
Singapore, Reuters—The long running saga over Carlos Queiroz’s future with Iran finally ended on Tuesday with the former Real Madrid and Portugal manager agreeing a four-year extension to stick with the Asian side. Queiroz had said he would step down from the position upon their World Cu
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—The UN Security Council said on Tuesday it was considering imposing sanctions on individuals and movements involved “in armed conflicts to obstruct the political transition in Yemen,” amid worsening violence between the rebel Houthi movement and the Yemeni g
Washington, Reuters—The most senior US military officer raised the possibility on Tuesday that American troops might need to take on a larger role in Iraq’s ground war against Islamic State militants, but the White House stressed they would not deploy on a combat mission. General Martin Dempse
Islamabad, Reuters—Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, weakened by weeks of demonstrations calling for him to resign, threatened on Wednesday to clear a protest camp established more than a month ago outside government offices in Islamabad. Protesters led by Imran Khan, a former cricket sta
Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—The leader of one of the Sunni political blocs in Iraq’s parliament welcomed Prime Minister Haider Al-Abdadi’s decision to halt air strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in the country. Fadel Al-Dabbass, leader of the Iraq Coalition said
The campaign that is being waged by some Islamists, backed by some nationalist and left-wing writers and a new generation of their students, against the new international alliance against religious terrorism reminds us of the cynicism and skepticism that dominated the scene during the war to liberat
It is not hard to gauge the general mood of the Egyptian public, especially for those who wish to understand it clearly. Despite this, political forces, countries and even Egyptian governments throughout the years have often misread it completely, leading them to encounter many problems or to achiev
Edinburgh, Reuters—Scotland’s independence campaign has stoked strong passions on both sides but with just two days until Thursday’s historic referendum, it is the quiet waverers who may hold the balance of power. Scotland decides on September 18 whether to sever centuries-old ties with
Paris and London, Asharq Al-Awsat—The fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) will likely take a decade, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal told an international summit in Paris on Monday devoted to dealing with the threat of the extremist organization. Spea
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Houthi forces are advancing in Yemen’s western Al-Hudaydah province, seeking to take control of a number of strategic areas including the port of Midi, close to the Yemeni–Saudi border, local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Local people are set to begin demonstratio
El-Arish, Egypt AP—A powerful explosion killed five Egyptian police conscripts and an officer near the border town of Rafah in the restive Sinai Peninsula early on Tuesday, in an attack that bore the hallmarks of a local Al-Qaeda-inspired group, Egyptian security officials said. The Interior Ministr
Dubai, Reuters—The opening of Saudi Arabia’s stock market to direct foreign investment early next year is set to coincide with a pick-up in earnings growth in the Kingdom, which has lagged the region in the past few years. The combined net profits of Saudi Arabia’s leading companies are
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Because time waits for no one, and doesn’t repeat itself, Saudi photographer Ra’ed Al-Maliki says he doesn’t miss a single opportunity to take a photograph. Maliki was born in the Saudi city of Ta’if, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical educa
Washington, AP—The Obama administration is ramping up its response to West Africa’s Ebola crisis, preparing to assign 3,000 US military personnel to the afflicted region to supply medical and logistical support to overwhelmed local health care systems and to boost the number of beds need
