The UN’s top humanitarian official strongly criticises Israel’s Gaza blockade and its expanding settlements. more …

First results from Iraq’s election suggest a tight contest may be developing between PM Nouri Maliki and main rival Iyad Allawi. more …

So far results appear to be on sectarian lines, with the main Shiite bloc doing well in the south, and the Iraqiya group showing well in Sunni areas. But allegations of fraud could mar the results.

As the first, incomplete results from Iraq’s weekend elections trickled in Thursday, a prominent opposition group supported mostly by Sunni Arabs made fraud allegations that could taint the legitimacy of the outcome.

more …

His troubled Mideast trip approaches its end with a Palestinian threat to pull out of planned peace negotiations.

Vice President Joe Biden, winding up a disconcerting trip to the Middle East, struggled Thursday to keep hopes alive for new peace talks amid Palestinian anger over Israeli plans for new housing construction in a disputed Jerusalem neighborhood.

more …

Protests by opponents of the prime minister appeared to delay the announcement of the preliminary results and could undermine public
acceptance of the outcome.

more …

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. called for no delay in resuming peace talks, after Palestinians said Israel must cancel a settlement project before negotiations can begin.

more …

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met the Emirati leader over military defenses and growing fears in the Persian Gulf over possible missile attacks by Iran.

more …

US Vice-President Joe Biden says Middle East peace talks must resume, despite a row over Israeli settlement plans. more …

Hamas releases a British journalist, Paul Martin, accused of spying and jailed for nearly a month in the Gaza Strip. more …

Early election results on Thursday indicated that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s coalition was likely to win a plurality in an exceedingly close race.

more …