Journalists Islam El-Kalhy and Hassan Al-Qabbani were released on Sunday after a respective six months and 1.5 years in pre-trial detention.
The 90-year-old al-Sistani is the top Shia Muslim cleric in Iraq and a powerhouse in the Shia world, but his influence stretches beyond the religious.
Egypt, Sudan reject Ethiopia Nile dam 'fait accompli'
During his first visit to Khartoum since the fall of Omar al-Bashir, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned Ethiopia against filling its Nile dam.
Sisi visits Khartoum for first time since Sudanese revolution
Sisi's first visit to Sudan since the 2019 revolution aims to revive the two countries' relations, and address tensions with Ethiopia over its ...
Pope meets top Iraq Shia cleric in interfaith milestone
The two elderly, respected men of religion met at Sistani's humble home in the shrine city of Najaf on Saturday, the second day of the ...
The long read: Jalel Harchaoui dissects the fluid alliances and histories behind the new characters on Libya's political scene, as the country tries to chart its new course.
Pope Francis in Iraq: Healing, piety and PR
Comment: Pope Francis' highly anticipated visit to Iraq places a host of spiritual and political expectations on the charismatic pontiff. Here's ...
Egypt, Sudan sign military cooperation deal amid Ethiopia tensions
Egypt and Sudan have held high-level talks and signed a military cooperation agreement amid continued tensions with Ethiopia over the Nile and ...
Qatari FM in first post-reconciliation visit to Cairo
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani will lead a Doha delegation at a ministerial session of the Cairo-based Arab League ...
Egyptian journalist detained upon return to Cairo
Exiled writer Jamal al-Jaml disappeared upon his return to Cairo late last month and resurfaced on Saturday before the State ...
Five Palestinian factions ally with Fatah in upcoming elections
The Palestinian Democratic Union, the Palestinian Liberation Front, the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, the Arab Liberation Front and the ...
Papal visit to Iraq to go ahead despite concerns
The 84-year-old pope will make his first visit to the country despite being in to coronavirus age risk group.
For Egyptian activists abroad, a growing fear
Family members of Egyptian activists now living abroad are being targeted by security forces and arrested on vague charges, as an effort by ...
Libya's PM-designate fails to name cabinet members
The Prime Minister-designate failed to meet a Thursday deadline to form a cabinet, while Egypt called on Dbeibah to exclude 'Islamists' from any ...
Egypt detainees languish in jail
In a practice dubbed by the country's legal and activist community as "recycling" or "rotation", inmates can end up in detention indefinitely - ...
Rival Palestinian factions 'pen joint letter to Biden administration'
The reported letter comes following recent talks between Fatah and Hamas officials, ahead of national elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Lebanon receives second Pfizer vaccine shipment
Lebanon received its second shipment of the coronavirus vaccine Saturday, containing around 31,500 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.
Palestinian elections 2021: Reconciling competing motives
Comment: These elections finally present Abbas with the ultimate challenge: Balancing his standing with the US, while delivering Palestinians ...
Egypt says Russian flights to Sinai resorts to resume
Russia will resume flights to Egypt's Sinai resorts after the lifting of a ban imposed following a 2015 attack on a Russian jet.
Egypt pledges support to Libya's new interim prime minister
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi expressed support for Libya in talks with the neighbouring country's interim prime minister.
US sells $200m in weapons to Egypt despite abuses
The missile sale comes despite hopes of a tougher stance on Egyptian President Sisi from the Biden administration.
93% of Palestinian eligible voters sign up for polls
Registration for the upcoming election in Palestine has passed 93 percent, as excitement runs high for first election in 15 years.
Egypt to reopen embassy in Libyan capital
Egypt has announced that it will reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli following the formation of a new transitional government.
Only 1 percent vaccinated for coronavirus in Mideast: WHO
The WHO released data for the wider Middle East region, which covers countries from Morocco through to Pakistan.
Ahmed al-Mandari - director of WHO's eastern Mediterranean region - did not name the countries.
Barghouti leaves behind a son, fellow poet Tamim al-Barghouti, and a celebrated body of work.
Egypt is considering withdrawing from the 'Nile Agreement' signed in March 2015.