BBC News: Middle East

24 May 2012 Last updated at 17:09 ET

Candidates spar as Egyptians vote

Tensions rise between some of the leading contenders on the second and final day of voting in Egypt's first free presidential election.

Syria army 'behind rights abuses'

The Syrian army and security forces are responsible for most of the serious rights abuses committed since March, say UN-mandated investigators.

Fresh Iran talks called in Moscow

Talks on Iran's nuclear programme end with "significant differences", EU officials in Baghdad say, but the two sides agree to meet again in Moscow in June.

Syrian general urges intervention

A former Syrian army general calls for foreign intervention in his country to end the "barbaric genocide" being committed by the regime.
Lebanese pilgrims 'to be freed'

Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour announces that 13 Lebanese Shia pilgrims kidnapped in Syria have been found and should be released soon.
World 'betrayed rights protests'
UK police in Libya Fletcher probe
Doha and Baku cut from 2020 list BBC Sport
Donors promise $4bn for Yemen
Dig 'proves' Bethlehem antiquity
Ban for Saudi Olympic horsemen
Iraq bomb kills Lebanese pilgrims

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Features & Analysis

'We're making history'

Egyptian voters reflect on a landmark election
Chaos seekers

Is al-Qaeda trying to gain a foothold in Syria's unrest?
View from Alexandria

In Egypt's second city economic worries trump politics
Lines in the sand

Will Iran yield on its nuclear plans at a key Baghdad summit?
Body blow

Could a bomb really be sewn into a human?
Unpredictability at last

Egypt's landmark election thrills villagers used to one-man rule
Video evidence

Jewish settlers filmed firing at Palestinian protesters