Arab Protests

BEIRUT -- Syria's president faced a growing challenge to his iron rule from home and abroad Wednesday, with renegade troops launching their most daring attack yet on the military and world leaders looking at possibilities for a regime without Bashar Assad.

BEIRUT -- Syrian security forces fired on anti-government protests Friday and conducted sweeping raids during violence that killed at least 16 people, activists said.

With more than 250 Syrians killed in less than two weeks, November is shaping up to be one of the bloodiest months yet in a dramatic escalation of the conflict around Syria's 8-month-old uprising. There have been growing signs that some protesters are taking up arms to protect themselves, along with reports of intense battles between soldiers and army defectors.

BEIRUT -- Syrian security forces killed at least seven people Friday after thousands of protesters took to the streets, charging that President Bashar Assad never intended to abide by an Arab League plan to end violence, activists said.

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinians have long been skeptical of America's ability to help them win independence. But low expectations have turned into frustration and in some cases outright anger after the U.S. threatened to derail a bid for U.N. recognition of an independent state and Congress put a hold on $200 million in badly needed aid.

SANAA, Yemen -- Fighting raged on Saturday in the Yemeni capital, leaving at least 40 dead as forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh battled pro-opposition soldiers and moved to clear the protest camp at a Sanaa square that has been the epicenter of the country's uprising.

BENGHAZI, Libya -- Syrian activists fleeing persecution for taking part in the 6-month-old revolt against their government are flocking to Libya, where they face no visa requirements and can find work easily because of the exodus of foreign laborers during the uprising against Moammar Gadhafi.

SIRTE, Libya — Libyan revolutionary forces escalated offensives Friday into two key strongholds of Moammar Gadhafi’s rule, but met stiff resistance from snipers and loyalist gunners in Gadhafi’s hometown and a mountain enclave where a pro-regime radio station urged followers to fight to the end.