KERBALA, Iraq (Reuters) – Police have discovered the decomposing bodies of 22 men dumped in a mass grave in southern Iraq, police and hospital sources said on Wednesday.

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria and Lebanon must cooperate in fighting terrorism, the Syrian foreign minister said in comments on Wednesday, linking the threat faced by both neighbors which have recently been targeted by militants.

BAKU (Reuters) – Authorities in Azerbaijan said turnout was high on Wednesday in a presidential election boycotted by the opposition and almost certain to return Ilham Aliyev for a second term in the oil-producing state.