Latest from Syria

Pick-up lines, Syrian-style

Camel riding for two should really only be permitted for those who are really, really good friends, finds Jill Worrall.

Syria: Crusader castle that kept Saladin at bay

Some company would have been nice, but even on my own, spending a birthday exploring probably the best Crusader castle in the world takes some beating.

Gunmen kidnap Iraqi archbishop

<i>Gwynne Dyer</i>: Image is everything in new terror game

Palestinian shot dead in Beirut clash

Trash threatens to engulf historic sites

I have spent nearly a month in North Africa and the Middle East and in both areas the land seems in grave danger of being suffocated by swathes of fluttering, tattered plastic bags and mountains of plastic bottles.

Bush vows active role in Middle East peacemaking

North Korea gave advice to Syria

UN watchdog slames Irael's 'bomb first, ask later' policy

Byelection brings more problems

Fonterra to make up for lost time in Middle East

Syrian blast kills 15

Syrian, Israeli envoys differ over UN encounter

Syria threatened to fight in Lebanon war - Hizbollah

Back to basics after bruising

UN Council condems assassination of anti-Syrian Lebanese MP

Truce lets Palestinians flee Lebanon camp (+video)

Rice meets Syrian minister, greets Iranian