News in Brief - Fri, Oct, 09, 2015 - 04:30 GMT

1. The UN voices concern over the use of live ammunition by Israeli troops against Palestinian protesters. UN rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein says the high number of casualties raises concerns of Israel’s excessive use of force. The reaction comes as over 130 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli live ammunition in recent days.

2. Israel re-imposes a ban on Palestinian men attending Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque. The entry of men under the age of 50 will not be allowed. On Thursday, a Palestinian protester was killed and over 100 others were injured in clashes with Israeli forces across the occupied West Bank.

3. Iran has welcomed Russia’s military campaign against terrorist groups operating in Syria. Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Moscow’s operation is a major step in the fight against terrorism. He added that Iran will keep up its effective measures to help Syria and Iraq in their anti-terrorism drive.

4. Syria says its military, backed by Russian airstrikes, has advanced in key western areas of the country. Military officials say government troops liberated most of the hilly region of Jeb al-Ahmar from terrorist groups. This after Russia has intensified its attacks on terrorists operating in the war-torn country.

5. Over a dozen people have been killed in rocket attacks on Iraq’s Diyala province. Some 30 Iraqis were also injured as several residential areas came under a barrage of rocket fire. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the assault bears the hallmarks of ISIL terrorists.

6. Libya's rival factions have reached a consensus on the formation of a national unity government after months of marathon talks. The UN envoy for Libya Bernar-dino Leon named Fayez Sarraj as the new government’s prime minister. Any final deal, however, must pass a vote in Libya's rival parliaments to succeed.

7. The head of Iran’s Hajj mission has called for formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the deadly Hajj crush. Ali Qazi Askar criticized Saudi authorities for refusing to let Iranians conduct rescue operations following the tragedy. He says the death toll of Iranian pilgrims stands at 464.

8. Lebanese demonstrators hold fresh protest rallies in the capital Beirut amid a months-long garbage crisis. The protests turned violent as security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Several protesters were injured and many arrested.

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