6:47pm

Belaid funeral stokes Tunisian tension

Soldiers help mourners carry the coffin of slain opposition leader Chokri Belaid during his funeral procession ©Reuters

General strike grips nation as murdered leader is buried

Tunisian Funeral ©AFP 12:22pm

Belaid funeral stokes Tunisian tension

General strike grips nation as murdered leader is buried

Tunisian protesters hold a banner during a demonstration against the assassination of vocal government critic Chokri Belaid (featured on the banner) on February 7, 2013 in Siliana northwest of Tunis. Protesters torched and ransacked an office of the ruling Islamist Ennahda party in Siliana while spontaneous protests erupted in a dozen towns and cities in Tunisia despite the premier's attempts to defuse the crisis by pledging to form a new government. ©AFP 7:30am

Tunisian union calls for general strike

Tension rises ahead of murdered opposition leader’s funeral

Egypt Protester ©Getty 3:36pm

Tahrir sexual assault victims speak out

Controversial salafi preacher accuses women of ‘having no shame’

Ingram Pinn illustration ©Ingram Pinn Philip Stephens from COMMENT Feb 7, 2013

Intervention: the US won’t, Europe can’t

Europeans have caught the bug just as the US has shaken it off – but they lack the means

Just Falafel, Monmouth St, Covent Garden. ©Rosie Hallam Feb 7, 2013

Just Falafel’s taste for fast expansion

Fast-food outlet uses franchise partners for global chain

Feb 6, 2013

Tunisian leader dissolves government

Move follows assassination of leading opposition figure

Feb 6, 2013

Rebels intensify attack on Damascus

Reports of concerted push from suburbs into city

A Palestinian protester throws a stone towards an Israeli military vehicle during clashes with Israeli security officers ©Reuters From US & CANADA Feb 6, 2013

Israel and Palestinians top Kerry’s agenda

Secretary of state made weekend calls to both leaders

A worker is seen working at Cairn Energy Plc's Mangala processing terminal in Rajasthan, India ©Bloomberg Feb 6, 2013

Beirut set to move on gas contracts

Questions raised over Lebanon’s readiness for process

From MIDDLE EASTERN FINANCE Feb 6, 2013

Kuwait considers bailout for consumer debt

Central bank and ministers oppose proposed $6bn write-off

Feb 6, 2013

Report cites military corruption in MENA

Countries leave door open to waste, impunity and security threats

Feb 6, 2013

Tunisian opposition leader assassinated

Killing of Chokri Belaid marks new level of political disorder

From IRAN Feb 6, 2013

Iranian president’s ally freed from prison

No reason given for Saeed Mortazavi’s release or detention

From US & CANADA Feb 5, 2013

Obama planning first visit to Israel

Trip may signal intention to restart peace process

From EUROPE Feb 5, 2013

Sofia links Hizbollah to July bus bombing

Sofia claims ‘connection’ between militant group and two attackers

Feb 5, 2013

Ahmadi-Nejad faces criticism in Egypt

Tough message underscores tensions impeding resumption of normal ties

From IRAN Feb 5, 2013

Iran forced to weigh nuclear compromise

Any move to strike a deal unlikely without US concessions

From IRAN Feb 5, 2013

Key ally of Iranian president arrested

Conflict between Ahmadi-Nejad and speaker intensifies

Notebook from COMMENT Feb 4, 2013

A civil war of words over secular unions

The issue of civil marriage is proving so controversial in Lebanon

MOST POPULAR NOW ON FT.COM