As Iraq goes to the polls today to elect its first post-Saddam permanent government the challenges ahead are as great as ever, reports Salah Hemeid

Following a month-long election marked by violence that left 13 people dead, a new parliamentary chapter is due to open, reports Gamal Essam El-Din

The Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef tells Amira Howeidy the group will not change tactics, and does not trust the US

The assassination of Gibran Tueni, coinciding with the release of the second Mehlis report, dashed hopes for Lebanon's recovery, reports Hicham Safieddine

The newly-elected People's Assembly contains more opposition voices than ever, reports Gamal Essam El-Din, and they are determined to be heard

Hossam Badrawi, member of the NDP Policies Committee and one of its key reformers, speaks to Shaden Shehab about the hard choices the party must now make

A week after being kicked out of the Wafd Party by its chairman Noaman Gomaa, prominent politician and businessman Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour shares his future plans with Shaden Shehab

Tagammu leader Rifaat El-Said explains his party's dismal parliamentary elections performance to Mohamed El-Sayed

Longtime Nasserist Party leader Diaaeddin Dawoud placed the blame for his electoral downfall everywhere but on himself, reports Mustafa El-Menshawy

Prominent opposition politician Ayman Nour's high-profile court case is nearing its end, reports Mona El-Nahhas

Aviation authorities are promising a perfect pilgrimage season. But, asks Amirah Ibrahim, are the contingency plans in place to handle the problems that always plague Saudi Arabian and Egyptian airports during hajj enough?

As the Palestinians prepare to hold new legislative elections in January, the ongoing occupation and much-needed internal reform within Fatah emerge as top issues on the electoral agenda. Erica Silverman and Khaled Amayreh report from Gaza and the West Bank

Ariel Sharon's new Kadima Party looks set to win the Israeli elections while his actions augur the future beyond them, writes Graham Usher

Amid zero security and reports of torture and bribery, the Iraqi people watch "new Iraq's" politicians fall over themselves to insult each other, writes Nermeen Al-Mufti

Once again, the Iranian president's comments on Israel have sparked controversy. Rasha Saad reviews the implications

The stock market is expected to grow on the back of the huge demand for Telecom Egypt's shares, writes Niveen Wahish

Foreign companies are readying themselves for the sale of the state tobacco monopoly, reports Sherine Abdel-Razek

A new humanitarian emblem, a "crystal", was officially adopted by the ICRC, reports Marian Houk in Geneva

Stalled trade talks are off to a jittery start, reports Emad Mekay from Hong Kong

Ferial J Ghazoul journeys in the Tuareg world of novelist Ibrahim al-Koni

Tensions between city council officials, investors and land claimants, argues Pierre Loza, uncover the chaos of the local government in Dahab

Serene Assir finds downtown Cairo to be a breath of fresh air for women in an increasingly conservative capital

Ahli's world record 55-game unbeaten streak came to an end on the world stage. Inas Mazhar reports