Dario Salvi

Donald Trump announced the Islamic State’s "defeat" in Syria and the withdrawal of US troops. For Mgr Audo, the end of the war is nearer. Plans for an autonomous Kurdish region is less appealing among Kurds. For the prelate, the agreement between Moscow and Washington will be the final act. Christians should help Muslims overcome fundamentalism.

Mar Sako: in Jesus the example of humanity to be followed. Christians can make an essential contribution to the rebirth of the country. The unity between faith and different ethnic groups is the basis on which to build the future. Christmas Eve mass in Baghdad concelebrated by the Vatican Secretary of State. Is Parolin's visit to prepare for a future Papal trip to Iraq?

Rocket launches and mortar shelling overnight. The fighting involved the eastern sector of the city. This morning the ceasefire seems to hold. Today the UN special representative intends to relaunch the talks between Houthi and pro-Saudi governments. At least 85,000 children under the age of five died under bombs or from malnutrition. About 14 million people are at risk of being hungry.

Mgr Georges Abou Khazen is taking part "with devotion and meditation" in Advent celebrations. However, there is little optimism and a lot of fatigue in the city about the end of the conflict. The Latin parish is providing clothing 900 children, including Muslims.

Yesterday the ceremony of laying the first stone, presided over by the leader of the Sunni Muslim Endowment movement. UN and EU delegates and citizens present. UNESCO representative: "A journey of physical reconstruction" begins. Planned open spaces, a garden, a memorial and a museum.

SIPRI report notes that Saudi Arabia was the world’s second largest importer between 1998 and 2017 with military spending rising 74 per cent, now accounting for about 10 per cent of GDP. The United States and the United Kingdom are the main suppliers. Western policy undermines peace and security in the region.

Protests, led by Communist Party, destined to continue and increase. In imitation of the "yellow vests", the demonstrators wore red scarves and sang anticorruption slogans and chants, as well as against the lack of public services and the growing debts. The internal divisions on Syria weigh on the political scene.

As days of protest against austerity draw hundreds, security forces show an iron fist. The crisis highlights the country’s weak political institutions. Some fear criminal and jihadist infiltrations. The political class must be renewed and economic and social reforms must be implemented.

Overnight, a double Senate vote struck a blow to the White House's foreign policy. The Senate has "unanimously" established that bin Salman is involved in the death of the dissident journalist. And the majority want to stop military support of Riyadh. Trump determined to push ahead; parliamentarians promise battle.

Prayers, meetings and confessions are scheduled for Advent. The Bahrain cathedral is essential to meet the needs of Catholics in Saudi Arabia as well. Social and confessional relations are developing slowly. Pope Francis's visit is a source of "encouragement" for the region’s Christians despite some issues.

Vahid Sayadi Nasiri was jailed on charges of insulting supreme leader Ali Khameni and propaganda against the state. He had already spent two and a half years in prison and had been the subject of abuse and harassment. He had not eaten for 60 days to protest against the lack of legal protection and against the prison regime.

More than four million visitors are expected in Israel in 2018, 14 per cent more than the previous year. Bethlehem has 95 per cent hotel occupancy. For Sobhy Makhou, such "unexpected" levels are due to visitors from China, South Korea and India. But more infrastructure and new rules for access to holy places are needed.