DAMASCUS -- The Islamic State (IS) clawed back over 40 percent of the city of al-Bukamal, the last IS stronghold that has been recently captured by the Syrian government forces, a monitor group reported on Friday.
Following the Syrian army's declaration of capturing al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria on Thursday, the IS militants unleashed a wide-scale counteroffensive on the city, capturing over 40 percent of it, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Syria-IS)
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RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia's embassy in Lebanon is negotiating with Lebanese security authorities for the release of a Saudi citizen abducted by Hezbollah militias, local media reported on Friday.
The kidnappers associated the release of the Saudi national with the recent resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, a source was quoted by Sabq news as saying. (Saudi-Lebanon)
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TRIPOLI -- The headquarter of the Deputy Interior Minister of the UN-backed Libyan government was attacked by rocked-propelled grenades on Friday, a security source told Xinhua.
The headquarter of Faraj Eg'em in the eastern city of Benghazi was attacked, leaving three security personnel killed and nine others injured, according to the source. (Libya-Attack)
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BEIRUT -- A delegation from the World Bank affirmed Friday the institution's commitment to following up on all projects planned for Lebanon, regardless of the current political turmoil, a statement from the Finance Ministry said.
The delegation's comments came during a meeting with Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, the statement pointed. (Lebanon-World Bank) Enditem
