Middle Orient

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is expanding its military arsenal to counter what it sees as Iran’s growing influence in a region convulsed by violence.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — The US military has cleared a soldier of unlawfully killing an Iraqi civilian after investigators concluded Specialist Nathan Lynn had reason to believe the man was carrying a gun when he opened fire.

MANAMA — Bahrain’s appointed upper chamber on Saturday approved a tough law to combat terrorism already passed by the elected parliament and which critics say

LARNACA, Cyprus (AFP) — UN relief coordinator Jan Egeland said Saturday that Lebanon was suffering a major humanitarian crisis owing to a “senseless war” and complained of the difficulties of delivering aid.

More than 60 Hezbollah rockets hit northern Israel on Sunday, killing two civilians and wounding more than 20 others, military officials and police said. CNN witnessed some of these rockets in and around the port city of Haifa.

“I think it’s important that we not fall into the trap of moral equivalency here,” Ambassador John Bolton told CNN’s “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.”

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 23 — Saddam Hussein was hospitalized this morning, fed with a tube and given a battery of tests to ensure that he could stand trial later this week despite a hunger strike that began July 7, Iraqi and American officials said.

As the fighting continues on both sides, Hizbollah has confirmed that the Israeli army has occupied a key border village. The Shi’ite guerrillas say three of their fighters were killed in the battle for Maroun al-Ras.

Mr Egeland, the UN’s emergency relief chief, described the destruction as “horrific” as he toured the city.

Sharon, 78, suffered a massive stroke resulting in a coma in early January.