Report: Exiled Abbas rival banned from running in Palestinian elections
Mohammed Dahlan, who was expelled from the West Bank following a political conflict with the PA leadership, is seen as a leading candidate to replace 84-year-old Mahmoud Abbas.
Middle East
Senior Iranian cleric calls for end to hostilities with Israel
"It's time for the Iranian regime to cease inventing enemies that do not exist," says opposition figure Abdol-Hamid Masoumi-Tehrani.
Palestinians ask Europe to send monitors for elections
The elections, the first in 15 years, are seen as an important step toward ending the Palestinians since Hamas usurped control of the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority in a military coup in 2007.
'Tyrant Trump's reign is over, ball in US court on sanctions'
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tells cabinet: Today, we expect the incoming US administration to return to the rule of law and commit themselves, and if they can, in the next four years, to remove all the black spots of the previous four years.
Twin suicide bombings in Baghdad leave at least 13 dead
Iraqi military reports two attackers detonated explosives vests at crowded market in Tayaran Square in the first such attack since January 2018.
Report: UAE signs deal with US to buy 50 F-35 jets
The UAE and the US were working to ink a deal before President Joe Biden took office on Wednesday, as he has said he will re-examine the agreements.
Iran marks last full day of Trump presidency with commando drill
Tehran has recently stepped up military drills as part of an effort to pressure President-elect Joe Biden over the nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump pulled out of.
Arab League chief hoping Biden will reverse Trump's Middle East policies
Speaking to the UN Security Coucil, Ahmed Aboul Gheit says US under outgoing President Donald Trump has "marginalized" the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Iran asks IAEA not to publish 'unnecessary' details about nuclear program
Head of Iran's nuclear agency asks IAEA to "prevent paving ground for misunderstanding."
PA to hold elections for first time in 14 years
Parliamentary elections are to be held on May 22, followed by a presidential vote on July 31. A December poll found that 52% of Palestinians think elections held under present conditions would not be fair and free.