With Fatah clamping down hard on Hamas in the West Bank, Palestinian unity is the clearest victim, writes Khaled Amayreh in Ramallah

Fayyad steps in as Egypt steps back; the Palestinian premier is under pressure as Hamas renews its presence in parliament, writes Saleh Al-Naami

Mauritania's penchant for coups, seen locally as a panacea to the country's political ills, is condemned by the outside world, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Pressure is mounting on the Turkish government after an increase in attacks by the separatist PKK, writes Gareth Jenkins

The Lebanese president's historic visit to Syria this week is expected to herald diplomatic relations after a period of unprecedented crises, Lucy Fielder reports from Beirut

In vast numbers, Iraqi refugees remain exiled in Syria, Bassel Oudat reports from Damascus