UN Secretary-General accused Bashar al-Assad of 'escalating violence and repression'
Witnesses say security forces are conducting raids, firing on protesters outside mosques
Army forces in Sana’a form protective ring around demonstrators
President Mahmoud Abbas tells Palestinian leaders in Ramallah they deserve independence despite Israeli and US objections
Erdogan told crowd of cheering Libyans that they set an example by ending 40-year rule of Moammar Gadhafi
US makes clear it will veto any attempt at Palestinian statehood through Security Council
Turkish state-owned Halkbank recently has helped India transfer part of $5 billion payment to Iran for oil deliveries
Central theme of US president's address Wednesday will be struggles for freedom in Middle East, Africa, and Mideast peace efforts
Meanwhile, UN vote turns over Libya's seat in the General Assembly to the country's National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council granted Libyan seat in General Assembly; Security Council unanimously lifts some sanctions, eases others