Middle East

The Mecca pact is moving from declaration to implementation, exposing unresolved questions in Turkey over troop deployments, parliamentary authority, and the risk of direct involvement in Yemen.

Iran on Tuesday summoned France's envoy in Tehran over the ongoing student protests, accusing Paris of the "violent treatment" of demonstrators and of extensive human rights violations.

Until now, it has remained unclear whether Saudi Arabia would go ahead with such a probe, which experts say could test a system of international co-operation.

Tehran steps up its cultural crackdown, targeting cafes and theaters over mandatory hijab rules, 'vulgar' music, and on-stage contact.

"What happened on October 7 is a legitimate thing, okay? It's legitimate,” Advisor to the Paestinian Authority's Religious Affairs Ministry, Mahmoud Al-Habbash said.

Hezbollah received the cash last month despite a tightening US economic chokehold on Iran and increasing difficulties in getting funds to Tehran's Lebanese ally.

Fifty-six countries, ranging from the United States, Britain, France and Germany to Bahrain, Morocco and Japan, reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the the UN restrictions restored against Iran.

"People are running for their lives and finding nowhere safe to go," said IOM Director General Amy Pope, who called for more funding amid rising needs for food and shelter.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking to the media after a meeting of the Mecca alliance, said the sides had discussed what support to provide Saudi Arabia for its defensive capabilities.

“There will be no Tel Aviv, there will be no Ben-Gurion Airport, and there will be no Netanyahu,” said Amr Adib on MBC Egypt.