Syria
Syrian opposition scrambles to save credibility ahead of peace talks
ISTANBUL - The Syrian opposition in exile met on Thursday to decide whether to attend a peace conference that the United States and Russia see as a crucial path to ending two years of civil war.
France wants Hezbollah armed wing on EU terror list by end-June
PARIS - France said on Thursday it hoped an initiative could be agreed by the end of June to put the armed wing of Hezbollah on the EU's list of terrorist organisations on grounds the group is importing Syria's war into Lebanon.
Five killed, 50 wounded in Lebanon's Tripoli
TRIPOLI, Lebanon - Five people were killed and more than 50 wounded in overnight clashes in Tripoli between Lebanese gunmen backing rival factions in Syria's civil war, doctors and security sources said on Thursday.
Assad foe tells Syrian leader to cede power to officials
BEIRUT - A Syrian opposition leader urged President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday to hand power to his deputy or his prime minister and then go abroad with 500 members of his entourage, without immunity from prosecution.
West may boost Syria rebels if Assad won't talk peace
AMMAN - Washington threatened on Wednesday to increase support for Syria's rebels if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war that is spreading across borders. | Video
Friends of Syria demands Hezbollah, Iran fighters withdraw
AMMAN - The Friends of Syria alliance called on Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah ally on Thursday to withdraw fighters immediately from Syrian territory and described their armed presence in the country as a threat to regional stability.
General says Israel poised for war on Syria if Assad falls
HERZLIYA, Israel - Israel is poised for a large-scale assault on Syria to prevent advanced weapons reaching jihadi rebels or Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon if President Bashar al-Assad is toppled, Israel's air force chief said on Wednesday.
Kerry warns Syria's Assad against rejecting political solution
AMMAN - Western governments are ready to increase support to opponents of President Bashar al-Assad if he rejects a political solution to Syria's civil war, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday.
With Hezbollah coffins, Syria now exporting conflict
HERMEL, Lebanon - On a country road in Lebanon's northeast, traffic is heavy; ambulances screech by, sirens blaring, and cars packed with mourners follow coffins as Hezbollah brings wounded fighters home from Syria, and its dead.
Syrian rebels seize military base, kill 40 soldiers - monitor
BEIRUT - Syrian rebels killed at least 40 soldiers and other fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad as they captured a military base in the north-western province of Idlib on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.


