http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/middle_east/#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa The latest stories from the Middle East section of the BBC News web site. en-gb Tue, 21 May 2013 21:01:03 GMT Copyright: (C) British Broadcasting Corporation, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/help/rss/4498287.stm for terms and conditions of reuse. http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/bbc_news_120x60.gif http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/middle_east/#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa 120 60 15 Two prominent figures in Iran, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, are barred from standing in next month's presidential election. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22615000#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22615000 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:55:24 GMT Israeli and Syrian forces trade fire across the ceasefire line in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22608489#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22608489 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:22:05 GMT At least 23 people are killed in new bomb attacks in Iraq, a day after a wave of bombings across the country left at least 70 people dead. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22606848#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22606848 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:26 GMT Saudi Arabia has arrested 10 more suspects in what it says is a spy ring linked to Iran, state media report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22615566#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22615566 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:54:22 GMT A man has died of the novel coronavirus (NCoV) in Tunisia, in what is believed to be the first such case in Africa. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22610400#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22610400 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:43:16 GMT Saudi Arabia executes five Yemenis convicted of murder and robbery, leaving their bodies hanging in public, in the town of Jizan. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22609051#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22609051 Tue, 21 May 2013 11:25:48 GMT Algeria's prime minister denies rumours that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seriously ill, saying he is "improving every day" in Paris after suffering a mini-stroke in April. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22611738#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22611738 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:11:24 GMT Discrimination against Jews and Muslims is on the rise around the world, according to an annual US Department of State report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22601881#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22601881 Mon, 20 May 2013 19:12:41 GMT A man shoots four people dead in a bank in southern Israel before turning the gun on himself, reportedly after a dispute over an overdraft. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22600871#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22600871 Mon, 20 May 2013 16:31:14 GMT Singer Barbra Streisand is to receive an honorary doctorate of philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22607229#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22607229 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:44:09 GMT An Israeli government investigation concludes a French news report in 2000, which blamed Israeli troops for shooting dead a Palestinian child, was baseless. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22594389#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22594389 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:42:39 GMT Fierce fighting is reported in the strategic Syrian town of Qusair, as rebels and government forces backed by Hezbollah militants fight for control. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22592627#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22592627 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:38 GMT Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Algeria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14118852#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14118852 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:20:21 GMT Provides an overview of Bahrain, including key events and facts about this oil-rich state which has become a financial services centre http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14540571#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14540571 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:57:07 GMT Provides an overview of Egypt, including key events and facts. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13313370#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13313370 Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:21:13 GMT Provides an overview of Iran, including key events and facts about this country whose supreme leader is an Islamic cleric http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14541327#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14541327 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:18:38 GMT Provides an overview of Iraq, including key events and facts about the home of some of the earliest civilisations http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14542954#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14542954 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:51:19 GMT Provides an overview of Israel, including key events and facts about the world's only state with a majority Jewish population http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14628835#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14628835 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:59:13 GMT Provides an overview of Jordan, including key events and facts about this small country in the Middle East. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14631981#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14631981 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:38:10 GMT Provides an overview of Kuwait, including key events and facts about this oil-rich state. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14644252#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14644252 Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:48:29 GMT Provides an overview of Lebanon, including key events and facts about a country which has often been at the centre of Middle Eastern conflicts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14647308#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14647308 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:31:51 GMT Provides an overview of Libya, including key events and facts about this major oil producer which was ruled by Colonel Gaddafi for 42 years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13754897#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13754897 Tue, 14 May 2013 14:59:40 GMT Provides an overview, basic information and key events for this oil-producing, mainly desert country in west Africa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13881985#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13881985 Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:39:51 GMT Provides an overview of Morocco, including key events and facts about this mountainous kingdom at the far end of the Maghreb http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14121438#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14121438 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:40:25 GMT Provides an overview of Oman, including key events and facts about the oldest independent state in the Arab world http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14654150#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14654150 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:18:12 GMT Provides an overview of Qatar, including key events and facts about this small country which has become a major oil producer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14702226#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14702226 Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:41:17 GMT Provides an overview of Saudi Arabia, including key events and facts about the birthplace of Islam http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14702705#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14702705 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:06:49 GMT Provides an overview, basic information and key events for this African country http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14094995#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14094995 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:11:06 GMT Provides an overview of Syria, including key events and facts about this influential Middle Eastern country. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703856#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703856 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:31:15 GMT Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Tunisia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14107241#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14107241 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:27 GMT Provides an overview of the United Arab Emirates - known as the UAE - including key events and facts about this federation of seven states. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703998#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703998 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:37:50 GMT Provides an overview of Yemen, including key events and facts about one of the poorest countries in the Middle East http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14704852#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14704852 Wed, 12 Sep 2012 09:43:02 GMT Provides an overview of the Golan Heights, including key events and facts about this strategically important Syrian territory occupied by Israel. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14724842#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14724842 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:15:29 GMT Provides an overview of the Palestinian territories, including key events and facts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14630174#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14630174 Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:22:46 GMT The BBC has seen evidence that the Syrian regime is getting support from Shia fighters crossing into the country from Iraq. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22594072#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22594072 Mon, 20 May 2013 09:38:07 GMT Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen explores what might happen if Iran continues with its nuclear programme. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22551996#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22551996 Mon, 20 May 2013 23:28:31 GMT More than 70 people have died in multiple bomb attacks across Iraq http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22603748#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22603748 Mon, 20 May 2013 21:45:55 GMT Abdullah Dardari, the man in charge of the UN's Syria post-war reconstruction project, has said he sees a 'bright future' for Syria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22577371#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22577371 Fri, 17 May 2013 20:59:33 GMT BBC Persian's Rana Rahimpour explains how Iran's leadership structure works and what could happen in the upcoming presidential elections. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22524617#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22524617 Sat, 18 May 2013 00:28:50 GMT More than 60 people have been killed and dozens hurt in several bomb attacks apparently targeting Sunnis, in Iraq's worst day of violence for months. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22577415#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22577415 Fri, 17 May 2013 22:15:31 GMT Rafsanjani exclusion shows Iran establishment's weakness http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22619664#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22619664 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:58:12 GMT How the shake-up in Egypt is being felt far from Cairo http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22570486#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22570486 Tue, 21 May 2013 01:19:40 GMT Digs shed light on one of world's oldest civilisations http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596270#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596270 Tue, 21 May 2013 01:43:07 GMT Refugee's story of seven months held in the Sinai http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22575182#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22575182 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:09:36 GMT Preserving the spice of life when ingredients and power are scarce http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22560237#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22560237 Mon, 20 May 2013 00:06:58 GMT What we know about claims of chemical weapons use in Syria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22557347#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22557347 Fri, 17 May 2013 18:33:58 GMT Made in Aleppo for centuries, it's become a casualty of war http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22541698#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22541698 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:53:53 GMT