BBC News - Middle East

The latest stories from the Middle East section of the BBC News web site.

• — VIDEO: Leaving Egypt for life in Dubai

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 19:46)

  Amid dismay at Egypt's political direction and pessimism about the state of the economy, thousands of Egyptians are choosing to move abroad.

• — VIDEO: Saudi drivers in 'sidewalk skiing' craze

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 19:21)

  Motorists in Saudi Arabia have developed a new way of driving cars, which uses only two wheels.

• — Syria opposition ready to negotiate

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 18:56)

  Syria's main opposition coalition says it is willing to attend an peace conference next month only if President Bashar al-Assad agrees to step down.

• — Iran election: Conservatives dominate narrow field

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 16:27)

  Iran's voters have little choice as conservatives dominate

• — Chaos and suspicion in Cairo mortuary

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 16:07)

  The mortuary that symbolises Egypt's post-revolutionary chaos

• — Why are so many Guantanamo inmates from Yemen?

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 13:55)

  Could Guantanamo's Yemenis soon be released?

• — Thousands protest in Bahrain sit-in

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 10:08)

  Tens of thousands of Bahrainis participated in a sit-in on Friday in protest at a raid on a senior Shia cleric's home.

• — 'Poor response' to Iraq abuse claims

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 09:16)

  The UK government's response to claims that British troops abused and unlawfully killed civilians in Iraq is inadequate, the High Court rules, but it stops short of ordering a public inquiry.

• — 'Hard decisions' needed for peace

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 05:46)

  US Secretary of State John Kerry says "hard decisions" will be needed for peace after two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

• — Obama defends 'just' drones war

     (Friday, 24 May 2013 04:44)

  President Obama defends the use of drones as a "just war" of self-defence against deadly militants, and a campaign that has made America safer.

• — VIDEO: Iran election campaign under way

     (Thursday, 23 May 2013 23:54)

  Election campaigning is under way in Iran after the Guardian Council approved eight candidates, all considered conservatives.

• — Iraq's reminder of the worst of times

     (Thursday, 23 May 2013 23:26)

  Iraq appears to be slipping back into mire of sectarian killings

• — VIDEO: 'Iraq affected by Syria crisis'

     (Thursday, 23 May 2013 16:32)

  Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warns his country is in danger of increased violence resulting from the ongoing crisis in Syria.

• — WHO urges sharing over coronavirus

     (Thursday, 23 May 2013 16:11)

  The WHO urges countries with possible cases of novel coronavirus to share information amid concern over patent rights held by commercial labs.

• — Europe's stance on Hezbollah hardens

     (Thursday, 23 May 2013 13:25)

  Hezbollah's support for Assad hardens European attitudes

• — Rafsanjani criticises Iran's leaders

     (Thursday, 23 May 2013 04:19)

  Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani accuses the country's leadership of ignorance after he is barred from running for office, say reports.

• — Refugees 'facing rising dangers'

     (Wednesday, 22 May 2013 20:35)

  Amnesty International says the world has become an increasingly dangerous place for refugees and migrants in its annual report.

• — Kerry condemns Hezbollah over Syria

     (Wednesday, 22 May 2013 15:55)

  US Secretary of State John Kerry says Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran are perpetuating President Bashar al-Assad's "campaign of terror" in Syria.

• — More centrifuges at Iran plant - UN

     (Wednesday, 22 May 2013 10:01)

  The UN's nuclear watchdog says hundreds of advanced centrifuges have been fitted at Iran's Natanz nuclear plant.

• — Profiles: Iran election candidates

     (Wednesday, 22 May 2013 06:52)

  Profiles of the eight candidates set to contest Iran's presidential poll

• — Gunmen kill 12 in Baghdad brothel

     (Wednesday, 22 May 2013 06:47)

  Gunmen burst into a brothel in eastern Baghdad, killing seven women and five men, in the latest violence in a week of bloodshed in Iraq.

• — Egyptian hostages freed in Sinai

     (Wednesday, 22 May 2013 05:51)

  Mohammed Morsi calls for the people of Sinai to give up their arms after seven members of the Egyptian security forces abducted in the region are freed.

• — Israeli court considers landmark property law cases

     (Tuesday, 21 May 2013 19:40)

  Landmark ruling could halt Israel's seizure of Palestinian property

• — Tunisia profile

     (Tuesday, 21 May 2013 03:57)

  Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Tunisia

• — Iraq country profile

     (Tuesday, 21 May 2013 03:51)

  Provides an overview of Iraq, including key events and facts about the home of some of the earliest civilisations