Pakistan may pose nuclear threat to world
German foreign minister Steinmeier voices concerns over worsening situation.

Emirates future with SriLankan uncertain
Cancellation of SriLankan CEO's work permit will have 'extremely negative' impact, exec says.

Qatar Airways axes Myanmar service
Airline says move is 'just commercial', but others claim it is down to pressure from Western countries.

Iraq braces for anniversary of Saddam's execution
Security forces are on full alert for violence surrounding Sunday's first anniversary.

Lebanon vote delayed for 11th time
Parliament session to elect new president pushed back till January amid political divisions.

NBK share rights issue 145% oversubscribed
Kuwait's largest lender receives subscriptions worth more than $3.7bn, part of 20% capital increase.

Saudi approves home loans company for poor
SHL will provide loans compliant with Islamic law, state news agency SPA reports.

Arabian Cement to sell shares worth $133mn
Saudi firm says sale of shares will raise its paid-up capital to $213.4mn.

France to lend Egypt nuclear hand
President Sarkozy offers assistance to Egypt after agreeing to help Morrocco, Libya and Algeria.

Oil driven higher after Bhutto assassination
Crude firmed almost $1 to above $97 a barrel on Friday, within sight of its record high.

Violence paralyses Pakistan
Shops, fuel stations and banks shut, transport suspended as chaos engulfs country.

Musharraf demands calm
Pakistani president orders security forces bring end to chaos following Bhutto assassination.

US in 'close touch' over crisis
State Department says superpower is in close contact with Pakistani political parties and allies.

Bin Laden to address the world online
Islamist website says it will carry new recording from Osama bin Laden about 'foiling plots' in Iraq.

Iran supreme leader issues warning ahead of polls
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urges Iranians to be alert against enemy plots.

Yemen parliamentary speaker dies of cancer
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmar, 84, dies in hospital in Riyadh after six-month fight with illness.

Turkey gears up for further assaults in Iraq
Turkish security council says country will continue operations against PKK 'with determination'.

Iran, Iraq to meet over border dispute
Baghdad will send delegation to Tehran in coming days to seek changes to border agreement.

Guantanamo prisoners return to Saudi
US transfers 10 detainees to kingdom from notorious prison camp for terrorism suspects.

India cuts transport links
New Delhi suspends two train services to Pakistan until further notice due to 'security considerations'.

Week in pictures