Middle East & North Africa

DAMASCUS, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian authorities will evacuate 4,000 families from damaged buildings in Aleppo city in northern Syria, following the death of 11 civilians when their building collapsed recently, a pro-government newspaper reported Monday.

The authorities will secure alternative housing to the 4,000 families which are living in around 10,000 damaged buildings in Aleppo, said al-Watan newspaper.

It added that measure will help the people until their homes are fixed or rebuilt.

BAGHDAD, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's President Barham Salih on Monday rejected any role for U.S. troops in Iraq beyond helping Iraq's security forces.

Salih's comments came during the Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD) Forum in Baghdad, in response to a question regarding recent comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump and the intention of the latter to keep an eye on Iran through his troops in Iraq.

"The presence of U.S. troops in Iraq is part of an agreement to support Iraqi forces in the fight against terror," Salih said.

BAGHDAD; 03 Feb 2019; AA: Iraqi military forces on Sunday were redeployed in the northern Kirkuk province, according to an army officer.

"The redeployment came shortly after the forces arrived in the area," the officer told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

"The new military units will replace the anti-terrorism forces ahead of their withdrawal," he said.

ISTANBUL; 03 Feb 2019; AA: Egyptian opponents have launched an online campaign to reject proposed amendments to the country's constitution.

The move came shortly after the largest bloc in parliament, Support Egypt Coalition which holds 317 seats in the 596-member assembly, said it will ask parliament to amend the constitution.

According to local media, the proposed constitutional amendments include increasing the presidential term from four to six years.

03 Feb 2019; AFP: The head of the UN mission in Yemen launched talks between the government and Huthi rebels aboard a boat in the Red Sea on Sunday aimed at shoring up a ceasefire, a government official said.

Retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert chaired the meeting aboard a UN vessel docked off the coast of the flashpoint city of Hodeida after the rebels refused to hold talks in government-held areas, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

DAMASCUS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition targeted a Syrian artillery in eastern Syria overnight Saturday, wounding two soldiers, the Syrian state TV reported.

U.S.-led warplanes struck the Syrian artillery west of the al-Bukamal city in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, leading to its destruction, according to the report.

It is not the first time the United States has targeted Syrian military posts in Syria.

In December, the U.S.-led coalition fired several missiles on military sites in central Syria, causing damage.

TEHRAN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran unveiled an indigenous long-range cruise missile on Saturday, Tasnim news agency reported.

The missile, Hoveizeh, was displayed at a ceremony in the capital Tehran, which was attended by Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami.

Manufactured by Iranian Defense Ministry's Aerospace Industries Organization, the missile is ready to be delivered to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force.

With a range of 1,350 km, Hoveizeh cruises at low altitudes and is used for ground targets.

31 Jan 2019; DW: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced the formation of a national unity government in Beirut Thursday. The announcement came some nine months after the country held its first parliamentary elections in nine years last May.

31 Jan 2019; DW: European aircraft maker Airbus on Thursday said it is "in discussions" with Dubai-based airline Emirates about a make-or-break deal for the future of the superjumbo Airbus A380.

Secured last year, the Emirates deal was hailed as a lifeline for the iconic double-decker aircraft and the program's roughly 3,000 workers.

How the deal fell through:

CAIRO, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Cairo-based Arab League (AL) welcomed on Thursday the formation of a new Lebanese government and expressed strong support for the new cabinet.

AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit praised the efforts of Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to form the new unity government after nine months of deadlock, according to AL spokesman Mahmoud Afifi.