US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton deplores as a 'travesty' Russia and China's veto of a UN resolution condemning Syria's violent crackdown on protesters.

Egypt 'to try foreign NGO staff'

Egypt says it is to try 43 people - including Americans and other foreigners - over the alleged illegal funding of non-governmental organisations.

BBC accuses Iran of intimidation

The BBC's Director General, Mark Thompson, accuses the Iranian authorities of intimidating those working for its Persian service.

Sinai gunmen release US tourists

Two US women tourists and their Egyptian guide who were kidnapped in the south of Egypt's Sinai peninsula have been released, security sources say.

Libya ex-envoy dies 'in custody'

An ambassador who served under former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi dies after being detained by Tripoli-based militia, Human Rights Watch says.

Cairo clashes over football anger

At least four people are killed in clashes between Egyptian protesters and police, amid ongoing anger over deaths after a football match.

Opposition gains in Kuwait vote

Kuwait's Islamist-led opposition makes significant gains in the Gulf state's fourth parliamentary election in six years, official results show.

Actor Imam is sentenced to jail

Egypt's leading comic actor Adel Imam receives a three-month jail sentence for insulting Islam in films and plays.

Hariri suspects trial in absentia

The UN-backed tribunal investigating the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik al-Hariri says it will try the suspects in absentia.

Gaza protesters target UN chief

Palestinian protesters briefly hold up the convoy of visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as he crosses into Gaza as part of a regional peace push.

Gun fight erupts in Libya capital

Rival Libyan militias fight a brief gun battle in central Tripoli amid tension between former rebel groups, witnesses and officials say.

Algeria profile

Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Algeria

Bahrain country profile

Provides an overview of Bahrain, including key events and facts about this oil-rich state which has become a financial services centre

Egypt profile

Provides an overview of Egypt, including key events and facts.

Iran country profile

Provides an overview of Iran, including key events and facts about this country whose supreme leader is an Islamic cleric

Iraq country profile

Provides an overview of Iraq, including key events and facts about the home of some of the earliest civilisations

Israel profile

Provides an overview of Israel, including key events and facts about the world's only majority-Jewish state

Jordan profile

Provides an overview of Jordan, including key events and facts about this small country in the Middle East.

Kuwait profile

Provides an overview of Kuwait, including key events and facts about this oil-rich state.

Lebanon profile

Provides an overview of Lebanon, including key events and facts about a country which has been at the centre of the Middle East conflict

Libya country profile

Provides an overview of Libya, including key events and facts about this major oil producer which was ruled by Colonel Gaddafi for 42 years.

Mauritania profile

Key facts, figures and dates

Morocco country profile - Overview

Provides an overview of Morocco, including key events and facts about this mountainous kingdom at the far end of the Maghreb

Oman profile

Provides an overview of Oman, including key events and facts about the oldest independent state in the Arab world

Qatar profile

Provides an overview of Qatar, including key events and facts about this small country which has become a major oil producer.

Saudi Arabia profile

Provides an overview of Saudi Arabia, including key events and facts about the birthplace of Islam

Sudan profile

An overview

Syria profile

Provides an overview of Syria, including key events and facts about this influential Middle Eastern country.

Tunisia profile

Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Tunisia

United Arab Emirates profile

Provides an overview of the United Arab Emirates - known as the UAE - including key events and facts about this federation of seven states.

Yemen profile

Provides an overview of Yemen, including key events and facts about one of the poorest countries in the Middle East

Golan Heights profile

Provides an overview of the Golan Heights, including key events and facts about this strategically important Syrian territory occupied by Israel.

Palestinian territories profile

Provides an overview of the Palestinian territories, including key events and facts

VIDEO: Iran 'intimidating BBC Persian'

The BBC's director general Mark Thompson has accused the Iranian authorities of intimidating those working for its Persian service.

VIDEO: Tourists staying away from Egypt

Twelve months on from the revolution in Egypt, the country's tourism industry is continuing to struggle.

VIDEO: BBC team smuggled into Homs

Syrian government forces have bombarded the city of Homs with artillery shells and mortars, killing at least 55 people, according to opposition groups.

VIDEO: Saudi awards for private businesses

Saudi Arabia is awarding bursaries to young Saudis to help them start their own businesses.

Avoiding Syria's secret police

The Syrian activists daring to evade the secret police

Slow steps towards restoring Italy-Libya ties

Libya and Italy keen to repair ties damaged by the Arab Spring

People problems plague Gulf start-ups

Staffing issues plague Gulf start-ups

Blame game over Egypt's football clashes

The blame game in the wake of a deadly Egyptian football riot

Iranians feel sanctions bite

Ordinary Iranians feel the pain as sanctions bite

Test cricket on sticky wicket in Middle East

Why is England Test cricket not bowling fans over in Middle East?