EU countries likely to restrict passport-free travel: AP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

The Associated Press says E-U countries are likely to restrict passport-free travel by invoking an emergency provision to keep some border controls for two more years. The 26 member states in the Schengen Area are currently allowed to unilaterally put up border controls for a maximum of six months.

Thousands of Greek farmers gather outside the parliament in the capital Athens to protest the government’s plans to impose new tax hikes and pension cuts. Earlier on Friday, riot police clashed with protesting farmers. Athens is seeking a multi-billion euro aid package from its creditors in return for harsh austerity measures.

Iran's foreign minister says regional states should tackle their common challenges by respecting the others’ sovereignty and avoiding interfering in their internal affairs. Mohammad Javad Zarif further called extremism and sectarianism global threats. He made the comments during his speech to the Munich Security Conference.

Syrian militants say their foreign backers have provided them with a large number of missiles to help them stand against the government troops in the north of Aleppo Province. A militant commander says the ground-to-ground Grad missiles have been used to target army positions beyond the front line.

The Turkish army has killed at least 27 P-K-K militants in the country’s south-eastern regions including in the town of Jizre. This, one day after Ankara announced the end of the army’s operations in Jizre. Months-long clashes between the army and the P-K-K have left hundreds dead on both sides.

In Bahrain, anti-government protesters flood the streets of the capital Manama and several other towns ahead of the fifth anniversary of the country’s popular uprising. The protesters renewed calls for the release of political detainees including opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman. Manama has been suppressing dissent since 2011.

Palestinians stage a protest rally in the town of Afula in solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qiq who has been in an Israeli jail since November 21. The protesters called for his immediate release. Palestinian medics have confirmed that Qiq’s health condition has deteriorated.

Leader of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis has met the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, in the Cuban capital Havana. This marks the first encounter between the leaders of two branches of the church in nearly a thousand years.

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