02/08/13

* US aims to deploy quick response forces globally The US military is determined to position small, quick reaction forces closer to global crises.

* Lebanon claims Israel conducting more mock sorties Israeli jets carried out a series of mock raids over Lebanon Thursday night.

* Egypt Slams US Senator's 'Morsi Is Our Enemy' Comments Egypt's Foreign Minister harshly criticized Sen. James Inhofe on Thursday for calling President Mohammed Morsi an "enemy" of the United States.

* Slain Tunisian leader's funeral marred by clash The funeral of a slain Tunisian opposition leader was marred Friday by clashes between police and gangs of young men destroying nearby cars.

* Terrorist tweets: how Al Qaeda's social media move could cause problems Somalia's Al Qaeda affiliate, Al Shabab, might not have as many followers as Mr. Bieber (1,800 versus 34 million), but it is still microblogging to get its message out.

* As U.S. 'pivots' to East Asia, Taiwan is drifting into Beijing's orbit The U.S.' 50-year-old alliance with [Formosa] Taiwan is eroding slowly.

* Iran's Khamenei rebuffs U.S. offer of direct talks Iran's highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday slapped down an offer of direct talks made by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden last week, saying they would not solve the problem between them.

* Islamic summit backs Syria dialogue Leaders at an Islamic summit on Thursday urged a dialogue between the Syrian opposition and regime.

* EU leaders agree budget cut deal in Brussels EU leaders have reached an agreement on the budget for 2014-20 after lengthy talks in Brussels.

* Protests escalate to street clashes across Egypt Egyptian security forces fired salvos of tear gas at rock-throwing protesters in several northern cities on Friday.