Bashar al-Assad

The primary goal of BDS is the destruction of Israel, not the well-being of the Palestinian people.

'No way' attacks on civilian sites carried out by Russian war planes, country's health minister says.

Riyadh embarks on an 18-day muscle-flexing exercise involving 20 countries in volatile Middle East.

UN demands that Russians comply with their obligations under international law, Hammond said.

The conflict has killed at least 250,000 people and made 11 million homeless.

IBTimes UK looks at what has become of Ben Ali, Gaddafi, Mubarak and other heads of state in charge in 2011.

Three rebel groups say they are sceptical of ceasefire plan agreed upon by world powers on 12 February.

Syrian President said seizing country from rebel groups would take 'some time'.

PM Dimitry Medvedev warns of 'permanent war' in Middle East if peace settlement is not reached soon.

Footage shows female guerrillas firing shells on Islamist rebels.

Red Cross warns situation in Aleppo province worsens as fighting, goaded by Russian air strikes, intensifies.

500 people have been killed in Aleppo this month.

Fears for 300,000 people who may be left without food, water and medical aid if supply route is cut off.

Makhlouf was mother and husband to two Syrian presidents and aunt to the country's richest man.

The president's mother, a former first lady herself, is reported to have passed away at home in Damascus aged 86.

Syrian peace talks have broken down after just two days of negotiations.

The assault has left peace talks in Geneva on the verge of collapse.

UK Foreign Secretary accuses Iran and Russia of not being 'helpful to Syrian peace process'.

'We are starting officially the Geneva talks,' said UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

Turkey summons Russian ambassador over an incident which happened late on Friday night.

Crucial UN-mediated negotiations between Syrian factions set to get underway in Geneva.

A letter from the UN under-secretary Stephen O'Brien says 'all options need to be on the table'.

The West saves its tears for Isis terror attacks and ignores those Assad is targeting.

NCRI hits out at sanctions relief amid fears Iranian people will not benefit from release of funds.

Putin says that discussion of Assad's fate is premature ahead of Syrian elections.

The Russian leader's interview with German newspaper Bild comes amid tough news for the Russian economy.

Pro-Assad trolls hijack hashtag used to highlight plight of starving residents.

Warnings of widespread starvation are growing as pro-government forces besiege opposition-held town.

Images of emaciated and starving children have outraged many.

Footage also shows rescue workers assisting people who were trapped in debris following an air strike.