BBC News Middle East

Faces, Jerusalem scene, City of David sign
Video 9 minutes 47 seconds

The settlers’ billionaire backer

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has found that Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, controls companies that have donated $100m to an Israeli settler organisation.

Top Stories

Faces, Jerusalem scene, City of David sign
Video 9 minutes 47 seconds

The settlers’ billionaire backer

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has found that Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, controls companies that have donated $100m to an Israeli settler organisation.

Faces, Jerusalem scene, City of David sign
Video 9 minutes 47 seconds

The settlers’ billionaire backer

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has found that Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, controls companies that have donated $100m to an Israeli settler organisation.

A policeman stands near buses destroyed in a bomb attack at Burgas airport, Bulgaria (18 July 2012)

Two convicted over Bulgaria bus attack on Israelis

The Lebanese dual nationals were tried in absentia over the attack that killed five Israeli tourists.

File photo of the Central Bank of The UAE in Dubai (3 January 2017)

UAE central bank did not prevent sanctions evasion

The bank failed to act on warnings about a local firm which was helping Iran, leaked documents show.

A wooden sarcophagus discovered down an ancient well in Saqqara, Egypt

Sarcophagi buried for 2,500 years exhumed in Egypt

The 27 wooden coffins are said to have lain undisturbed inside a well at an ancient necropolis.

A couple, wearing protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran

Iran vows 'crushing response to US bullying'

President Rouhani says the US is alone in trying to reimpose UN sanctions as nations reject the move.

A couple, clad in protective masks, embrace while walking at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on 17 September, a day ahead of Rosh-Hashana

Israel marks Jewish New Year with second lockdown

The nationwide measures coincide with the start of Rosh Hashanah, when families traditionally gather.

A US military vehicle drives in the vicinity of an oil field in in Syria

US reinforcements sent to Syria after Russia clashes

A US official says the move sends a "signal to Russia" to avoid "provocative actions" in Syria.

A policeman stands near buses destroyed in a bomb attack at Burgas airport, Bulgaria (18 July 2012)

Two convicted over Bulgaria bus attack on Israelis

The Lebanese dual nationals were tried in absentia over the attack that killed five Israeli tourists.

File photo of the Central Bank of The UAE in Dubai (3 January 2017)

UAE central bank did not prevent sanctions evasion

The bank failed to act on warnings about a local firm which was helping Iran, leaked documents show.

A wooden sarcophagus discovered down an ancient well in Saqqara, Egypt

Sarcophagi buried for 2,500 years exhumed in Egypt

The 27 wooden coffins are said to have lain undisturbed inside a well at an ancient necropolis.

A couple, wearing protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran
A couple, clad in protective masks, embrace while walking at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on 17 September, a day ahead of Rosh-Hashana
A US military vehicle drives in the vicinity of an oil field in in Syria

Features

An Israeli tank with the Israeli flag (file photo)
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat elbow bumps with an Emirati official at Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates (1 September 2020)
Dr Zoha
Pedestrians walk past a mural painting depicting a young Lebanese girl who suffered a face injury in the Beirut port blast
Firefighter pauses in rubble on World Trade Center (9/11/01)

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Jerusalem resident
Israel, US, Bahrain and UAE leaders wave at the White House
Clasped hands with tears on them
Moment of explosion
Issam and Helene

Latest Updates

EU imposes sanctions over Libya arms embargo

Troops loyal to Libya"s UN-recognized government in Zamzam, near Abu Qareen, Libya September 15, 2020
Reuters
Turkey has been supporting the UN-recognised government in Tripoli

The European Union has imposed sanctions on three companies for violating the UN arms embargo on Libya.

A meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels resolved that the sanctions imposed include an asset freeze for the three companies.

Two individuals were also sanctioned for human rights abuses in Libya.

"These new listings show the EU's strategic use of its sanctions regime and ability to react to developments on the ground in support of the political process and to deter past and present perpetrators from further violations," the EU said in a statement.

The three companies are from Turkey, Kazakhstan and Jordan respectively, the AFP news agency reports.

A United Nations report seen early this month accused Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other states of blatantly defying the international arms embargo on Libya.

Libya has been torn by violence since long-time ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011 by Nato-backed forces.

The UAE backs renegade Gen Khalifa Haftar, while the Turkish government supports his rivals in the government based in Tripoli.

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Algeria gets a new central bank governor

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad (L), Finance Minister Aymane Benabderrahmane (C) and Governor of Bank of Algeria (Central Bank) Rosthom Fadli
AFP
Rosthom Fadli (R) is taking over after Ayman Abderrahmane (C) became finance minister

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has appointed Rosthom Fadli as the new central bank governor.

The position fell vacant in June after its holder, Ayman Abderrahmane, was appointed as finance minister in a cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Fadli was one of the three vice-governors in the bank.

What does a second lockdown feel like?

Coronavirus: what Israel's second lockdown feels like
Two Jerusalem residents give their thoughts to the BBC from Israel, the first country to reimpose a nationwise lockdown.

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