Feb 16, 2012

NICOSIA [MENL] -- President Bashar Assad, strapped by a shortage of
manpower, was said to have organized Alawite militias to quell the Sunni
revolt in Syria.

Feb 19, 2012

LONDON [MENL] -- Al Qaida was expanding operations throughout North Africa
from the insurgency network's base in Mali.

Feb 20, 2012

BAGHDAD [MENL] -- Iraq has reported the capture of a large weapons stockpile
near the border with Syria.

Feb 23, 2012

GAZA CITY [MENL] -- Despite its agreement with Fatah, Hamas remains
pessimistic over the likelihood of Palestinian Authority elections in 2012.