France to transfer central bank governor’s frozen assets to Lebanon Millions of euros worth of assets and properties in Europe were confiscated last year as part of a probe into the embezzlement of $330 million from Lebanon’s central bank in money transfers to an obscure offshore company. Lebanon
At OPEC, Saudi Arabia defends oil cuts with Russia despite mild market reaction The kingdom's energy minister called for more industry transparency, despite several news organizations being prohibited from reporting on the OPEC conference he was speaking at. Saudi Arabia
In Turkey visit, Jordan's FM says Ankara, Amman on same page on Syrians The foreign minister of Jordan, whose country hosted a series of mediation meetings between Damascus and other Arab capitals, traveled to Ankara after meeting with Assad in Syria. Turkey
Palestine Briefing: Why Israel's Jenin raid will not bring about results In this except from Al-Monitor's weekly Palestine Briefing newsletter, Daoud Kuttab writes that Palestinians need new thinking, new direction and an agreed-upon strategy for ending the decades-long occupation. Palestine
UAE establishes investment ministry, forms EV and green policies Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired a high-level cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi on Monday and formed the country's Ministry of Investment. United Arab Emirates
Turkish lira outlook: Policy shift indicates progress, but bolder rate hikes needed for investor confidence Piero Cingari