Middle East News - AFP

RAFAH, Egypt (AFP) - Egyptian engineers were carrying out major excavation work at the Gaza border on Wednesday as an Israeli daily reported that an anti-smuggling barrier was under construction, an AFP reporter said. Full Story »

JERUSALEM (AFP) - The European parliament demanded on Wednesday that Israel explain why it prevented a delegation of MEPs from travelling to the Gaza Strip despite initially authorising the visit. Full Story »

JERUSALEM (AFP) - A top Israeli official was headed to the Vatican on Wednesday for a new round of talks on long-standing disputes over Church property in the Holy Land and other issues that have marred ties. Full Story »

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Five massive vehicle-borne bombs rocked Baghdad on Tuesday, killing 127 people, including women and students, and wounding hundreds in the third co-ordinated massacre to devastate the city since August. Full Story »

BRUSSELS (AFP) - EU nations agreed on Tuesday that Jerusalem should be the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state, assuaging Israeli anger over earlier mention of east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. Full Story »

TEHRAN (AFP) - Tehran Tuesday accused the United States of abducting an Iranian nuclear scientist who went missing in Saudi Arabia during a minor Muslim pilgrimage, and said Riyadh must also be held accountable. Full Story »

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq's second general election since Saddam Hussein was overthrown will be held on March 7, almost six weeks later than the originally planned date of mid-January, officials said on Tuesday. Full Story »

TEHRAN (AFP) - Protesters clashed with supporters of the Iranian regime for a second straight day Tuesday even as the chief prosecutor threatened to try the main opposition leader and vigilantes briefly besieged his office. Full Story »

CAIRO (AFP) - Human rights deteriorated across the Arab world in 2009 with torture widely practised in several countries, namely Egypt, an Arab watchdog said in a report released on Tuesday. Full Story »

BEIRUT (AFP) - Palestinian elections will not take place in the West Bank if Hamas refuses to allow voters to take part in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on a visit to Beirut on Tuesday. Full Story »