Newspapers in Egypt are banned from reporting on a poster campaign promoting the chief of intelligence as a possible future president, the BBC learns.

Irish delay EU-Israel data deal

Dublin delays a deal to allow transfers of EU citizens' data to Israel, which is accused of forging passports.

US hails end of operation in Iraq

The US president hails the end of US combat operations in Iraq, saying the US has paid "a huge price" to "put Iraq's future in its people's hands".

Netherlands frees Yemeni suspects

Two Yemenis arrested in Amsterdam on suspicion of planning a terror attack are released, prosecutors in the Netherlands say.

Iran's Bruni slurs 'unacceptable'

France says that "insults" in Iran's media aimed at France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, are "unacceptable".

Israel academics shun settlements

More than 150 Israeli academics say they will no longer lecture or work in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Biden in Iraq for mission change

US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Iraq ahead of the official end of the US combat mission there at midnight on Tuesday.

Cairo zoo puts lions on the pill

Vets at Cairo's Giza Zoo are experimenting with the human birth control pill in an attempt to slow their rapidly expanding population of lions.

Syrian soaps confront taboos

Syrian soaps have become popular across the region in recent years due to their realistic plots which have also caused controversy.

Algeria

Key facts, figures and dates

Bahrain

Key facts, figures and dates

Egypt

Key facts, figures and dates

Iran

Key facts, figures and dates

Iraq

Key facts, figures and dates

Israel/Palestinian territories

Key facts, figures and dates

Jordan

Key facts, figures and dates

Kuwait

Key facts, figures and dates

Lebanon

Key facts, figures and dates

Libya

Key facts, figures and dates

Mauritania

Key facts, figures and dates

Morocco

Key facts, figures and dates

Oman

Key facts, figures and dates

Qatar

Key facts, figures and dates

Saudi Arabia

Key facts, figures and dates

Sudan

Key facts, figures and dates

Syria

Key facts, figures and dates

Tunisia

Key facts, figures and dates

United Arab Emirates

Key facts, figures and dates

Yemen

Key facts, figures and dates

Golan Heights

A profile of the Syrian plateau captured by Israel in 1967

Israeli novelist on Middle East conflict

The Israeli novelist David Grossman on how the Middle East conflict tore his family apart.

Raising the stakes

Why Middle East peace is so important to President Obama

On the cards

Where are Iraq's 55 "most wanted" as the US combat mission ends?

Helicopter tour

Troubled geography of Israel and West Bank as seen from above

Fresh fears

Teen death renews concern over female mutilation in Egypt

Rural exodus

Syria struggles as farmers flee four-year drought

American misadventure?

John Simpson on the legacy of America's 'imperial moment'

Bittersweet memories

Life in Iraq during the US occupation