A bid for United Nations recognition of a state of Palestine is a last-ditch attempt to rescue troubled Middle East peace efforts.

The US has warned Syria it won’t be able to deceive the world about compliance with a cease-fire that is just days away, as the violence continues.

Libya’s interim leader says the country won’t turn into an extremist Islamic country, adding a new government of experts will be completed next week.

Libya’s interim rulers have declared the country liberated after an eight-month civil war, launching it into a two-year transition to democracy.

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas and his aides have accused al-Jazeera of lies and distortion for publishing the "Palestine Papers".

Gaza’s Hamas rulers have suffered back-to-back setbacks with Israel’s successful test of a rocket shield and Egypt’s push to block smuggling tunnels.