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Thousands of Yemeni demonstrators pour into the streets of the capital Sana\'a after Friday prayers, calling for the downfall of the government. The protesters criticized the government\'s failure to end the violence in the country which has risen in the month of December, following a number of politically motivated assassinations and the attack on Yemen\'s defense ministry which killed over 56 people .

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has sent a message to Pope Francis, expressing his determination to defend Syrians of all religions against Takfiri militants. The message was delivered during a meeting between the Syrian minister of state and the Pope\\\\\\\'s secretary of state. In his message, Assad says his government protects all its citizens against foreign-backed militants who attack civilians in their homes and places of worship. He also stressed the significance of dialog as the only option to find a way out of the current crisis in the country. The Syrian president also condemned arming militants by neighboring countries. Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. The conflict is estimated to have killed over 126000 people and displaced millions.

Chatah was killed in a bombing two days ago. He was a senior political figure from the Western-backed March 14 Alliance. Friday\\\'s blast happened near the March 14 headquarters and the Lebanese parliament in Beirut. Six other people were killed and dozens more wounded. There\\\'s been no claim of responsibility for the bombing. The violence has drawn domestic and international condemnation.

At least one demonstrator has been killed in fresh clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters in the western Anbar province. The clashes were triggered after local police moved in to dismantle the main anti-government protest site in the city of Ramadi. The operation follows a deal with religious leaders and tribal sheikhs. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki earlier referred to the protest site as the headquarters of the al-Qaeda leadership. Sunni Muslim protesters have been campaigning against the government since last December. They claim they\\\'re facing a second-class treatment at the hands of the Shia majority. There\\\'s been a surge in terrorist attacks and bombings across Iraq over the past year. Authorities believe that the escalating violence is aimed at creating sectarian strife in the country.

Clashes between police and gunmen at an anti-government protest camp in central Iraq have left over a dozen people dead. The violence came after security forces were deployed to dismantle the camp in the city of Ramadi in Anbar province. Police sources say the clashes broke out when gunmen opened fire on security forces. At least ten gunmen and three policemen were killed. The defense ministry says the decision to remove the protest camp came after a deal reached between the ministry, tribal leaders and local government. Now, there are also reports of heavy gunfire in the city of Falouja in the same province. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had repeatedly vowed to remove the one-year-old camp accusing protesters of stirring strife and sheltering al-Qaeda-linked militants.

In Iraq, 44 members of parliament announce their resignation after security forces dismantle an anti-government protest camp. The lawmakers are demanding the withdrawal of the army. Earlier in the day, clashes broke out between gunmen and police in the central city of Ramadi where the camp was located. Three policemen and ten gunmen were killed. The violence also spread to the nearby city of Fallujah. The lawmakers are also calling for the release of detained MP Ahmed al-Alwani who backs the anti-government protesters. On Saturday, security forces raided Alwani\\\'s home. Deadly clashes broke out after his guards opened fire on the police. Seven people -- including the MP\\\'s brother, five guards and a security force member - were killed before Alwani was taken into custody.

Eyewitnesses say security forces have attacked students at the dormitory of Cairo\\\'s al-Azhar University. Several were injured. The security forces also used tear gas and birdshot at students at Zaqaziq University in Sharqiyah province. Egypt has recently started a crackdown against university students protesting what they call an army coup against former president Mohamed Morsi. A large number of people have been detained for taking part in the protests following Morsi\\\'s ouster in July. The detainees include Muslim Brotherhood figures and supporters. The son of one of the Brotherhood\\\'s leaders were arrested on Monday for alleged incitement to violence.

Nouri al-Maliki stressed that the fight against terrorism would continue in the western province and the army is committed to hunting down the militants and armed groups. His statements came after security forces dismantled an anti-government protest site in the city of Ramadi on Monday. The government said the site had become a breeding ground for pro-al-Qaeda militants. Maliki added that the crisis has threatened Iraq\'s national security. He accused some political groups of fanning the flames of sectarianism in the province. Anbar province has been gripped by deadly violence after Iraqi police and army forces dismantled an anti-government protest camp in Ramadi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has decided to send reinforcements to the restive Anbar province to combat al-Qaeda-linked militants there. According to Iraqi media, Maliki reversed his decision to withdraw army from the western province in response to requests from residents and local officials. Earlier, the prime minister defended his decision to deploy troops in the restive province, saying the battle against terrorism would continue to the end. On Wednesday, Iraqi security forces entered sporadic clashes with militants who burned four police stations in Ramadi. Anbar province has been gripped by deadly violence since Monday after police and the army dismantled an anti-government protest camp in Ramadi.

At least 62 al-Qaeda-linked militants have been killed in clashes with Iraqi security forces backed by local tribesmen in the western province of Anbar. A tribal leader says the militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant were killed in Ramadi and a district east of the city. Earlier reports said the security forces were in control of most of the areas in Ramadi. They also managed to gain control of some more areas in the nearby city of Fallujah. The two cities in Anbar province have witnessed clashes between security forces and al-Qaeda-affiliated militants over the past several days. The violence broke out after the army removed an anti-government protest camp in Ramadi on Monday. Authorities said the camp was used by al-Qaeda-linked militants.

The Lebanese Army says D-N-A tests confirm the identity of an arrested Saudi suspect as Majed al-Majed. He is the leader of a terrorist group behind a deadly attack on the Iranian embassy in Beirut. Majed was arrested on Monday. He is the ring leader of Abdullah Azzam Brigades, an al-Qaeda offshoot. The group launched the attack against the Iranian Embassy on November 19. The back-to-back blasts left at least 23 people dead, including an Iranian diplomat. Over 160 others were also injured in the violence. The Saudi ambassador to Lebanon has said that Beirut should extradite Majed to Riyadh in case the man\\\'s identity is confirmed. Tehran says a team will be sent to Lebanon to be involved in the interrogation of the man who was behind a terrorist attack on the Iranian Embassy in Beirut. Iran\\\'s Foreign Minister Mohamamd Javad Zarif appreciated efforts by Lebanese officials in the arrest of Saudi national Majed al-Majed. Zarif made the comments during a phone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart, Adnan Mansour. For his part, Mansour expressed hope that security would return to his country with the capture of al-Majed and other terrorists.

The Lebanese city of Tripoli is once again witnessing clashes linked to the war in neighboring Syria. Supporters and opponent of the Syrian government clashed in the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood after a protest against extremists who support militants in Syria. The Lebanese army has intervened, trying to end the violence. The city has in the past seen similar violent confrontations between the two sides. A few days ago, deadly fighting broke out in the same neighborhood.

Tensions in Egypt continue to run high ahead of a referendum on a new constitution. More than 50 students have been injured in a police crackdown. some of the students are in critical condition. The violence broke out in Assiut and Minya as police fired tear gas and bird shots to disperse anti-government students. On Saturday, the army-installed government said it will confront the Muslim Brotherhood protesters with full force. It accused the group of trying to disrupt the referendum to be held later in January. Egypt has been the scene of almost daily protests since the country\'s first democratically-elected president was ousted by the military last July. Protesters demand Mohamed Morsi\'s reinstatement.

Almost three years into a foreign-backed insurgency in Syria, militant groups fighting against Damascus are now grappling with fierce infighting. The recent deadly clashes between rival groups have put the prospect of a UN-backed peace conference on the Syrian conflict in jeopardy. Violence goes on as Syrian civilians bear the brunt of the long-running conflict.

Iran\'s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman says Tehran supports the Iraqi government\'s measures to fight terrorism and extremism. During a weekly press conference in Tehran, Marzieh Afkham said measures taken by Baghdad to crack down on terrorism will help boost Iraq\'s national unity. The Iranian official meanwhile noted that media reports about cooperation between Iran and the US on the issue of Iraq are inaccurate. She also called on the international community to take QUOTE balanced and unbiased steps in the fight against extremism, violence and terrorism.

Iran\'s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman says Tehran supports the Iraqi government\'s measures to fight terrorism and extremism. During a weekly press conference in Tehran, Marzieh Afkham said measures taken by Baghdad to crack down on terrorism will help boost Iraq\'s national unity. The Iranian official meanwhile noted that media reports about cooperation between Iran and the US on the issue of Iraq are inaccurate. She also called on the international community to take QUOTE balanced and unbiased steps in the fight against extremism, violence and terrorism.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated militants have vandalized churches in the Damascus countryside of Ma\'lula. That\'s according to the secretariat of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. The militants have reportedly removed the bells of all the churches, burned the crosses, and stolen the bronze statue of Christ. The ancient Christian town of Ma\'lula has been the site of fierce fighting for months now, and thousands of its residents have fled to safer parts of the country including Damascus. Al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front insurgents stormed the Orthodox Mar Takla convent in the town in December and abducted several nuns. Christians make up about 10 percent of Syria\'s population. The religious minority and its holy sites have been subjected to numerous attacks by militants since the outbreak of violence Syria in 2011.

The Iraqi prime minister is calling for a strong International position against the countries supporting al-Qaeda-linked terrorists. He has also urged the world to drain the terrorist\'s financial resources. Maliki was referring to a fresh wave of violence which left at least 75 civilians and security forces dead across the country on Wednesday. The attacks are believed to be related to the Iraqi army\'s operation in the western Anbar province. The operation against the al-Qaeda-affiliated group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-- or ISIL-- has now entered the third consecutive week. Iraqi forces have surrounded the city of Fallujah but are waiting first for local Sunni tribes to expel the militants. Maliki has also pledged to punish anyone who cooperates with the terrorists.

In egypt, one student protester is killed and several others are injured in clashes with army supporters at the Cairo University\'s main campus. In another incidence of violence in the capital, a group of students attacked the administrative office\'s gates of the Ain el-Shams University. All this after a two-day constitutional referendum that was hoped to end the deadly clashes across the country. The vote was boycotted by supporters of Egypt\'s former president Mohamed Morsi and opponents of the government. Although vote-counting is still underway, some Egyptian officials have claimed the turnout has exceeded fifty percent of eligible voters.

In egypt, one student protester is killed and several others are injured in clashes with army supporters at the Cairo University\'s main campus. In another incidence of violence in the capital, a group of students attacked the administrative office\'s gates of the Ain el-Shams University. All this after a two-day constitutional referendum that was hoped to end the deadly clashes across the country. The vote was boycotted by supporters of Egypt\'s former president Mohamed Morsi and opponents of the government. Although vote-counting is still underway, some Egyptian officials have claimed the turnout has exceeded fifty percent of eligible voters.

Lebanon\'s former Prime Minister Sa\'ad Hariri says he\'s ready to form a government and share power with the resistance group Hezbollah after months of a political deadlock. Hariri\'s announcement comes as his Future Party supports opponents of the Syrian president, while Hezbollah backs supporters of President Bashar al-Assad. Hariri says despite the disagreements over Syria, Lebanon needs stability and he\'s optimistic about its future. Lebanon has been without a functioning government since Prime Minister Najib Mikati resigned last March. A caretaker cabinet has been running the country since. Fears over Syria-related violence have added to the pressure on politicians to find a compromise.

/Members of the al-Qaeda-linked group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have confessed to having direct links with Saudi Arabia. An Iraqi channel has aired confessions of members of the militant group, admitting to have relations with Riyadh. In the Afaq TV broadcast, ISIL insurgents also confess to Saudi Arabia\'s role in terrorist attacks in a number of Iraqi provinces. One of the members says a Saudi military official ordered him to carry out several attacks. Iraq has arrested a large number of insurgents during several operations recently. This comes as the Iraqi army and Sunni tribesmen continue their fight against ISIL militants. Iraq is experiencing its worst cycle of violence since 2008, with al-Qaeda-linked militants flexing their muscles on Baghdad\'s doorstep.

Iran is the current President of the Non-Aligned Movement. Iran\'s envoy to UN, Mohammad Khazaee, has emphasized NAM\'s support for the Palestinian people at the UN General Assembly. Khazaee went on to speak about the dire situation Palestinians are in, and the unjust Israeli policies being imposed on them. He mentioned Tel Aviv\'s occupation of Palestinian lands and the Israelis aggression and violation of international law, including illegal settlement building. He also cited detaining children, arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force as other violations being committed by the Israelis. The Iranian diplomat went on to reiterate the plan presented by President Hassan Rouhani at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, which called for utmost efforts in order to materialize a world against violence and extremism.

The pilgims\' bus was targeted at a village in the southwestern province of Balochistan, as they were returning from their visit to Iran. Twenty others were also injured. 51 passengers were on board at the time of the blast. The fate of nine other passengers is still unclear due to the impact. No person or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a similar attack on Janurary 1st, two people were killed when a bomb targeted a bus carrying Shia pilgrims. Balochistan has been struggling with sectarian violence, mainly targeting Pakistan\'s Shia community. Shia Muslims make up around 20 percent of Pakistan\'s population.

Iraqi forces are pressing on with their offensive against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the western province of Anbar. Troops-- backed by Sunni tribesmen-- continue their attack on insurgents who are in control of some neighborhoods in the city of Ramadi. Reports coming out of the area say a dozen security personnel have been injured by militant snipers during the operations. Over the past weeks, security forces have been fighting militants around Anbar\'s provincial capital, as well as and the nearby city of Fallujah. The militants are considered to be behind a surge of deadly violence across the country.

Members of the group of former global leaders, known as the Elders, have met with Iran\'s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. During the meeting, Zarif detailed Iran\'s regional policies and said Tehran is ready to take part in promoting peace and stability in the region. The two sides expressed concerns over the current turmoil in the region and emphasized Iran\'s pivotal role in resolving tensions. The Elders also voiced their concerns over the spread of extremism and sectarian violence in the region and urged collective cooperation to counter them. Finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Syria was also another major topic discussed during the meeting. The delegation, headed by Kofi Annan is on a three-day visit to Tehran to meet senior Iranian leaders.

Iran welcomes a UN Security Council resolution which calls for greater cooperation against kidnappings by terrorist groups. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham has said that the resolution is only a first step toward ending terrorism and that a collective effort by all countries is needed to achieve that. She warned against employing double standards in implementing the UN resolution. Afkham said that if the world fails to deal with terrorism properly and allows a discriminatory approach, all attempts would fail and more countries would fall victim to violence. Afkham said that Iran is ready to take practical steps at the regional and international levels to help tackle terrorism. The UN resolution strongly condemns incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorists and calls on all countries to stop paying ransom to kidnappers who use the money to finance terrorist groups.

Iran welcomes a UN Security Council resolution which calls for greater cooperation against kidnappings by terrorist groups. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham has said that the resolution is only a first step toward ending terrorism and that a collective effort by all countries is needed to achieve that. She warned against employing double standards in implementing the UN resolution. Afkham said that if the world fails to deal with terrorism properly and allows a discriminatory approach, all attempts would fail and more countries would fall victim to violence. Afkham said that Iran is ready to take practical steps at the regional and international levels to help tackle terrorism. The UN resolution strongly condemns incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorists and calls on all countries to stop paying ransom to kidnappers who use the money to finance terrorist groups.