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Qatar’s long-awaited legislative elections may not happen until 2016, following the former Emir’s decision to extend the Advisory (Shura) Council’s term for another three years. QNA previously announced that a decree regarding the council’s term was made in the last few hours of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s rule, but just yesterday disclosed details of the decision. The Advisory Council’s term was last extended in 2010, until 2013, based on the constitutional provision that “extending the council’s term is permitted if it is found to be in the public’s best interest."

KABUL (PAN): The High Peace Council (HPC) chief said on Thursday that negotiators had launched efforts at developing “national consensus” that could lead the country to durable stability.

The President of Kyrgyzstan signed a decree on dissolution of several local councils and early elections, Information Policy Department of the President’s Office reported.

The decree states that due to the fact that local councils failed to elect heads of executive bodies of local governments it is necessary to accept the offer of the Central Election Commission and dissolve councils of Kara-Suu town (Osh province), Toguz -Toro (Toguz- Toro district), Terek-Say (Chatkal district of Jalal-Abad province).

A Kuwaiti voter residing in the new residential area of Nahdha yesterday filed a new petition calling for the court to suspend the July 27 election because his area is not listed among any of the five electoral constituencies. As a result, the voter will not be able to participate in the election either as a candidate or voter. Under Kuwait election law, a candidate must be a registered voter and for citizens to vote, their residential areas must be part of any of the five constituencies.It was the third petition against the election.

The Ministry of the Interior complex on Tripoli’s Airport Road was surrounded by a group of several hundred heavily-armed men early this evening.  It is reported that when the gunmen arrived, firing heavily into the air, guards in the complex withdrew.

As the 2014 presidential vote is drawing closer,  public discussions revolve around who the contenders will be. But so far no one has formally jumped into the electoral fray, whose result is expected to have a significant impact on the country's future.  

LIKELY CANDIDATES: Several people, including President Hamid Karzai's brother Qayyum Karzai, National Coalition of Afghanistan leader Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Right & Justice party chief Hanif Atmar and Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, are expected to run for the top constitutional office.

GENTING HIGHLANDS, July 2 (Bernama) -- Umno may conduct an introductory session for prospective candidates in the party polls, said its deputy president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Violence erupted at a protest in support of President Mohamed Morsi Tuesday afternoon near Cairo University when a group of Morsi opponents approached it, chanting against the president, eyewitnesses said.

The protest was held in the wake of nationwide calls for Morsi to resign.

A resident of nearby Bayn al-Sarayat neighborhood told Mada Masr that birdshot was fired, and that the number of reported injuries has risen. The resident, Mohamed Gamal, said he saw Muslim Brotherhood members storming the Cairo University campus as the clashes escalated.

Deputy PM Beşir Atalay criticizes the BDP for calling on supporters to street rallies after the death of an 18-year-old in a clash with the gendarmerie