ATHENS/FRANKFURT – Banks and policymakers moved closer to a deal yesterday to help Athens secure funds ahead of a parliamentary vote on austerity next week that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou must win to avert default.
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AMMAN – Syrian security forces shot dead at least 15 people yesterday after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, witnesses and activists said.
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BRUSSELS/TRIPOLI – French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday rebuffed criticism of Europe’s role in the Libyan war by outgoing U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, saying Washington’s allies were “doing the work”.
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SANAA – Tens of thousands of opposition Yemenis packed central Sanaa in what they called the “Friday of the Revolutionary Will” — a signal of their determination to continue protests to get the wounded president to stand down.
