News Wire | Middle East & North Africa Archive

Five Members of Palestinian Militant Group Killed in Blast on Lebanese-Syrian Border

Reuters (registration required)

Five members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine militant group were killed in a blast overnight near Lebanon's border with Syria, sources told Reuters on Wednesday, with the group blaming Israel. But an Israeli source told Reuters the Israeli military was not involved in the Syria-Lebanon border blast and Lebanon's army declined to comment.

More from WPR: Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians Has Fallen Off the Agenda

Erdogan Continues Divisive Rhetoric Following Victory

By Kareem Fahim | The Washington Post

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sang and smiled, reveling in the applause of the supporters he addressed Sunday after the toughest election of his long career. In victory, though, instead of soothing the nation, he lashed out at a familiar set of villains, in remarks that may set the tone for his next term.

More from WPR: Turkey's European Story Is Likely Over

Erdogan Defies Predictions of Political Demise Ahead of Turkey Election Runoff

By Can Sezer & Jonathan Spicer | Reuters

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defied forecasts of his political demise in Turkey’s elections, rallying voters with a potent mix of religious conservatism and nationalism that looks set to propel his rule into a third decade Sunday.

More from WPR: Turkey’s European Story Is Likely Over

Belgium, Iran Conduct Prisoner Swap in Oman, Freeing Aid Worker and Diplomat Convicted in Bomb Plot

By Jon Gambrell | Associated Press (free)

Belgium and Iran conducted a prisoner exchange Friday in Oman, with officials saying Tehran released a Belgian aid worker in exchange for an Iranian diplomat convicted of attempting to bomb a meeting of exiles in France.