5:42pm

Syrian rebels free Iranians in prisoner swap

Government releases 2,130 civilians in return

From GULF 1:21pm

Honours for servants of Gulf industry

Retired engineer and special adviser to BP head list

Louve UAE ©AP From COMPANIES 6:37pm

Abu Dhabi awards Louvre branch contract

Joint venture with Dubai group secures deal

From GLOBAL ECONOMY 6:37pm

Qatar extends $2.5bn lifeline to Egypt

Bid to use cash to cement ties with Islamist leaderships

Satellite view of Marj al-Sultan site shows alleged gradual clearance of an orchard late last year Jan 8, 2013

Fears grow over Syria uranium stockpile

Iran might try to use material from Assad regime, say experts

Jan 8, 2013

Social protest leaders seek Israeli ballot success

Labour candidates focus on economic issues

Jan 8, 2013

Khamenei tries to quash poll fraud fears

Iran’s supreme leaders says rigging allegations fuel cynicism

From UK Jan 7, 2013

MPs criticised over Gulf states inquiry

Peer protests that dissident voices were excluded from probe

Notebook from COMMENT Jan 7, 2013

A telling fortune to make on predictions

For Lebanese clairvoyant Michel Hayek, forecasting seems a very good business, writes David Gardner

Jan 7, 2013

Attacker killed in Libya death attempt

Islamist leader Ahmed Abu Khattala under US investigation

Jan 7, 2013

Iran reiterates support of Syrian regime

Foreign minister says all sides should pursue Assad peace initiative

Jan 7, 2013

Lebanon launches tourism revival campaign

Visitor numbers down 18% amid conflict in neighbouring Syria

Jan 7, 2013

Hopes and fears for the Mideast’s year

Jan 7, 2013

Power crisis darkens outlook for Egypt

Fuel shortage triggers repeated outages

From IRAQ Jan 7, 2013

Kurdistan’s vast reserves draw oil majors

Enthusiasm tempered by tensions with Baghdad

From GULF Jan 7, 2013

Bahrain upholds dissenters’ sentences

Terms range from five years to life imprisonment

Jan 7, 2013

Defiant Assad rallies loyalists

Syrian president gives address denying uprising against his rule

Jan 4, 2013

Fatah Gaza rally signals thaw with Hamas

Hope rises of reconciliation with rival group

Jan 2, 2013

Egypt’s Salafis see political rift deepen

Major split within ultraconservative movement

Jan 2, 2013

UN puts Syrian death toll at 60,000

Figures add to pressure on powers to stop bloodshed