The African Union has been seeking to increase the size of the African-led force in Mali as French and Malian troops push further towards northern parts of the West African country.

Egypt’s president has called for calm and peace in the country, urging Egyptians to remain faithful to the values of the revolution.

A court in Egypt passes death sentences on 21 people for their role in Port Said soccer disaster that killed some 74 people in 2012.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has renewed its appeal for international aid for an increasing number of displaced Malian people since crisis started in the West African country a year ago.

The French Foreign Ministry has described Egypt's stance on France's intervention in Mali as "a minority in the face of widespread consensus" from the global community.

Egypt will on Friday mark two years since the start of the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak and brought in an Islamist president, at a time of deep political divisions and fears of an economic crisis.

At least 23 people have been killed in northern Nigeria by gunmen targeting "anti-islamic gamblers" and "forbidden meat traders".

French and Malian troops continued to advance northeast on Tuesday, hours after seizing several central towns from rebels.

Presidency has denied any role in amending provisions of an election law. Spokesman Yasser Ali said the Presidency has nothing to do with discussions that are ongoing in the Shura Council over amending some provisions of a bill on the country's coming parliamentary elections.

West African leaders are to meet in Cote d'Ivoire to discuss how best to coordinate military action in Mali.

There are speculations that due to lack of adequate training and discipline, the over 1,200 Nigeria troops would not be directly involved in combat operations to oust the militiamen from the northern region of Mali.

Washington, DC — Mali, only recently seen as a model African democracy, has crashed onto the stage of world attention, bringing formidable challenges for the international community. Whether to follow France’s bold lead with direct troop intervention; whether to provide intelligence, military or logistical aid; how to support Algeria’s diplomatic efforts – all are questions being debated by leaders at the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and in capitals around the world.

Medenine — Two armed Libyan nationals were arrested, on Thursday night, after crossing borders and approaching the Tunisian Jedelouine advance post, a security source pointed out.

The actions of the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) during the past period will negatively affect the number of their parliamentary seats in the upcoming elections, member of Salafi al-Nour Party and Shura parliamentarian Salah Abdel Ma'boud has said.

President Mohamed Morsi said that the statements he made in 2010 about the Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza were "misquoted".

EGYPT has no objection on use of water from Lake Victoria for various purposes by countries surrounding it, as long as the respective project has no harm to the country, Egyptian minister for water has affirmed.

Algerian troops on Thursday (January 17th) launched strikes on a gas complex where Islamists are holding dozens of foreigners, AFP reported.

Members of the Security Council have strongly condemned this week's terrorist attack at the gas facility in Amenas, Algeria, that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

An Alabama native who moved to Somalia to wage jihad alongside al-Shabab militants faces a Saturday deadline to surrender to the insurgents or be killed, according to his Internet posting.

Political analysts in Kenya say primary voting over the last two days to select candidates for the country's national election in March was full of irregularities, disorganization and disgruntled losers who have alleged rigged polls.