Six months after Iraq's parliamentary elections, an Iraqi minister warns that the political deadlock is damaging the security situation in the country.

Foreign powers should stop interfering in the case of an Iranian woman who was sentenced to death by stoning, Iran's foreign ministry says.

Egyptian opposition figure Mohammed ElBaradei calls for a boycott of November's parliamentary election, saying it is certain to be rigged.

Six months on from the declaration of a hung parliament in Iraq's election, there is still no new government.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has hindered its investigations by repeatedly objecting to its choice of inspectors.

Stoning case creates problems abroad for Iran

Website takes on Muslim Brotherhood critics

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman vows his party will block any attempt to extend the partial freeze on settlements in the West Bank.

Lebanese PM Saad Hariri says he was wrong to accuse Syria of assassinating his father - former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.

US troops are called in to help Iraqi forces battle insurgents behind a deadly attack on an Iraqi army base in Baghdad, security officials tell the BBC.