The BBC's Lina Sinjab is one of the few journalists to reach Deraa. At least six people have died after security forces fired on protesters outside a mosque in the Syrian city of Deraa, human rights activists say. Hundreds of people had gathered in the streets outside the Omari mosque to prevent troops from storming it. The mosque has been the focus of anti-government demonstrations – at... 

Defiant: Colonel Gaddafi appeared on Libyan state TV to declare he is ready for a drawn-out conflict. Ministers admitted yesterday that they have no idea how long the military operation against Colonel Gaddafi could take. Asked for an estimate, Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey said: ‘How long is a piece of string? We don’t know how long this is going to go on. ‘We don’t know... 

A French warplane has reportedly crashed in the Libyan city of Sirte, while the US-led coalition forces’ military operation intensifies the abject state in the African nation. The Libyan newspaper al-Watan reported Wednesday that Libyan forces shot down a French jet fighter which was bombing the city and detained its pilot. Sirte, some 600 kilometers east of the Libyan capital Tripoli is the... 

Unsure: Libyan rebels retreat from the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi. Nato members are also fighting over who will take command of allied forces. * Tensions with Britain as Gates rebukes UK government over suggestion Gaddafi could be assassinated * French propose a new political ‘committee’ to oversee operations * Germany pulls equipment out of NATO coalition over... 

Crashed: Onlookers surround the wreckage of a U.S Air Force F-15E fighter jet after it crashed near the eastern city of Benghazi. Six Libyan villagers are recovering in hospital after being shot by American soldiers coming in to rescue the U.S. pilots whose plane crash-landed in a field. The helicopter strafed the ground as it landed in a field outside Benghazi beside the downed U.S. Air Force F-15E... 

Libyans inspect the wreckage of a US F15 fighter jet after it crashed in an open field in the village of Bu Mariem, east of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Tuesday, March 22, 2011, with both crew ejecting safely. The U.S. Africa Command said both crew members were safe after what was believed to be a mechanical failure of the Air Force F-15. The aircraft, based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England,... 

Muammar Gaddafi says the UN resolution authorising international military intervention in Libya is “invalid”. The Libyan leader says he sent a message to US President Barack Obama defending his decision to attack rebel cities: “If you found them taking over American cities by the force of arms, tell me what you would do.” The statement came from the government spokesman at... 

A member of the Hamas security forces surveys the scene on the Gaza Strip after Israeli retaliated to the biggest Palestine bombardment for two years. Palestinian militants in Gaza fired more than 50 rockets into Israel today, the heaviest barrage in two years, Israeli officials said. A Hamas official was killed and four civilians were wounded when Israel hit back with tank fire and air strikes, said... 

Rebel fighters gesture in front of a burning vehicle belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi after an air strike by coalition forces along a road between Benghazi and Ajdabiyah. A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vowed a “long war” after the U.S. and European militaries blasted his forces with airstrikes and over 100 cruise missiles early Sunday, hitting air defenses and at least... 

A French Rafale fighter plane takes off from the Saomt-Dizier military base in France today bound for Libya to enforce a no-fly zone. The image was provided by the French Ministry of Defence. The Pentagon has confirmed that that U.S. has launched missile strikes against Libya’s air defence network as a coalition of forces begin a no-fly zone over the north African nation even though a recent... 

Smoke rises over Ajdabiya, the last major city between forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi and rebel-held Benghazi. A military intervention against Col Muammar Gaddafi’s onslaught on Libyan rebels has been proposed at the UN in an eleventh-hour attempt to stop the dictator crushing opposition strongholds. European diplomatic sources said that military operations could be under way “within hours”... 

Ehud Olmert in court on July 13, 2010. Prosecution announces intention to put suspects on trial for bribery, corruption, and other charges; charges against Olmert pending hearing. The Tel Aviv District’s prosecution announced Monday that it intended to indict former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert along with other suspects in the Holyland affair for corruption, bribery, and other charges. The prosecution... 

Medics help injured anti-government protesters in a mosque’s yard following clashes with police in Sanaa, Yemen, on Saturday. Yemeni police stormed a camp set up by thousands of protesters demanding the end of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 32-year rule, killing one person and wounding hundreds early on Saturday, witnesses and medical sources said. Witnesses told Reuters hundreds of security... 

100,000 Reported at Sanaa University Alone. Another day-of-rage in Yemen has given way to another record turnout amongst protesters nationwide, as around 100,000 were reported at Sanaa University, the site of daily protests and daily violent crackdowns in the capital city. But the protests of course were not confined to Sanaa, and massive rallies in cities like Taiz, Aden, and indeed elsewhere across... 

Police apparently used stun grenades and batons to disperse protesters. Police in Saudi Arabia have opened fire to disperse protesters in the eastern city of Qatif, a day before planned countrywide anti-government protests. Witnesses said police also beat demonstrators with batons injuring at least three people. The protesters, from the Shia minority, were demanding the release of prisoners they say...