Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) head of foreign relations said on Saturday that the autonomous region’s links with foreign states remained strong, despite worsening tensions with the Iraqi federal government. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the head of the KRG’s Departm
Pristina, Reuters—Kosovo voted in an election on Sunday marked by voter frustration over poverty and corruption six years after seceding from Serbia, testing ex-guerrilla Hashim Thaci’s bid for a third term as prime minister. Some analysts expect the closest race since 46-year-old Thaci presid
Cairo, AP—Egypt’s former army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi was sworn in on Sunday as president for a four-year term, taking the reins of power in a nation roiled since 2011 by deadly unrest and economic woes. Sisi’s inauguration came less than a year after the 59-year-old career infantry o
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Lawmakers appear no closer to securing a quorum for a vote to choose Lebanon’s next president as a controversial presidential vacuum continues and rival political leaders exchange accusations. In a speech on Saturday, March 14 Alliance presidential candidate Samir Geagea accu
The new Egyptian president, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, has no choice but to place foreign policy among his top priorities. He is stepping into power in a time when growing complexity is enveloping Egypt’s foreign relations. These complexities were a result of the 2011 revolution, which caused drastic cha
Security issues affect the economy, and the build-up of interrelated problems means President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi must work on a variety of issues simultaneously. All issues are equally critical and pressing, especially in the minds of the Egyptian people. In past meetings and media interviews, Sis
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Syrian National Coalition, the main umbrella group for opposition forces, is preparing to elect a replacement president as incumbent Ahmed Al-Jarba’s second and final term draws to an end. Names of several potential candidates for the leadership of the Western-backed oppo
Winston-Salem, Ap—Family, friends and famous admirers including first lady Michelle Obama, former president Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey gathered Saturday to pay tribute to poet, orator and sage Maya Angelou. Angelou was honored as a renaissance figure and one of the 20th century’s most famo
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Prominent figures from around the world are heading to Cairo this weekend to attend the inauguration of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday, which has been declared a national holiday. Security forces have stepped up their presence across the capital amid fears
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—South Sudan’s defense minister has denied claims that Juba received military support from Cairo and Khartoum, accusing the country’s rebel leader of seeking to create tensions with nearby countries. Earlier this week, South Sudanese rebel spokesman Youhanis Musa Pouk ac
Doha, Reuters—Iran Air will need at least 100 passenger jets once sanctions against the country are lifted and will find it easier to do business with companies that co-operated during the current window for sanctions relief, the head of the airline said. However, in the absence of a long-term deal
Kiev, AP—Ukraine’s new president on Saturday called for dialogue with the country’s east, gripped by a violent separatist insurgency, and for armed groups to lay down their weapons but said he won’t talk with rebels he called “gangsters and killers.” Petro Poroshenko sp
Tunis, Asharq Al-Awsat—With Tunisia set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of the year, leader of the Left-wing Nidaa Tounes Beji Caid El-Sebsi said that he has yet to decide whether to run for the presidency. In a broad-ranging interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Tunisia’s form
Well, it is time to bid Barbara Walters farewell after this shining star took the decision to retire last month. Her fans and critics alike can agree on the fact that she deserves to be described as having been the “queen” of interviewers. Her lively personality always came through in the interviews
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—The young man had been waiting for hours before his “target” came out of his house. “Could we have a word?” the young man demanded, stepping in front of the older man. “Let’s have more than a word while I walk to work,” the old man replied. The scene was unfurling in Tehran [
Ouistreham, AP—The American, Russian and incoming Ukrainian presidents spoke face-to-face about ending Ukraine’s violence, a diplomatic turning point that played out Friday along the blood-soaked beaches where the Allies battled for Europe’s peace 70 years earlier. The Kremlin said Russi
Dammam, Asharq Al-Awsat—Significant progress has been made on the much-delayed Haramain high-speed rail project and the stations along the line are 75 percent complete, according to Saudi Transport Minister Dr. Jabara Al-Suraisari. The minister’s comments came in a statement following a two-day tour
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues to gain ground in eastern Syria, raising fears that the Al-Qaeda-inspired group in Syria will be able to unite with ISIS fighters in control of territory in Iraq’s western Anbar province. In comments to Asharq Al-Awsa
Colleville-sur-mer, AP—Gone are the screaming shells, seasick soldiers and bloodied waters of 1944. On Friday, a sun-splattered Normandy celebrated peace, with silent salutes, tears and international friendship marking 70 years since the D-Day invasion helped change the course of World War II and mo
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—In his final days in office, outgoing interim president Adly Mansour has moved to cement his place in modern history as the only Egyptian head of state to leave office through an orderly transition of power by signing into law a set of major legislative measures. Mansour appr
