Paul Dakiki

In a video, IS calls on Christians to convert to Islam, urges Sunnis to rise up and impose Islamic law on Lebanon. Hezbollah, which is fighting the al-Nusra Front and IS in Syria, is declared a terrorist group. Arab League and Arab Gulf States also condemn "terrorist" Hezbollah. Riyadh is accused of supporting extremist groups in Syria and Iraq. Iran warns against putting Lebanon’s stability at risk.

The leader of the Lebanese Forces supports the candidacy for president of his former enemy. Lebanese Forces and the Change and Reform bloc have the largest number of Christian MPs. Maronite Patriarchate of Bkerke is "happy and relieved". The Lebanese Parliament has failed to elect a president since May 2014. Some Christians and Muslims resist.

​Mauritania and Egypt criticise Iran. The UN Security Council slams embassy attack. Hassan Rouhani expresses regrets. UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura visits Riyadh and Tehran to save peace talks. Saudi football teams want to play Iranian counterpart on neutral grounds.

The announcement was made last night, after Iranian protesters stormed Riyadh’s Tehran embassy and consulate in Mashad. Khamenei calls it "divine vengeance"; Rouhani condemned the assault on the Saudi embassy as "illegal" and "unjustified". Anti-Saudi demonstrations in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Indian Kashmir. Saudi Arabia’s hardening political positions.

Some 10 per cent of 30,000 Jihadi fighters are young European converts to radical Islam. The lack of meaning in life, the need to belong and a desire to do something greater are the main motivations. However, some militants are also motivated by money, power, and bloodthirsty violence. Better religious education in schools, mosques and social media is part of the solution.

The alliance comprises 35 nations with a Muslim majority population. Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan are excluded. Fears that fight against terrorism might be used to stifle human rights of these countries’ populations. The approval of Al-Azhar, which has long demanded a commitment to correct the literalist interpretations of the Koran. The criticism of Hezbollah.

Hollande says Paris attacks are "an act of war." Manhunt on for Abdeslam Salah, who drove one of the cars used by the bombers. Many of the attackers came from Belgium and Molenbeek, considered a center of radical Islam. Some call for a war against the Islamic State, but human and monetary costs are prohibitive. For others, the attacks outside of Syria and Iraq are a sign of IS desperation as it succumbs to wave of defeats on the ground.

The twin suicide bombing, claimed by the Islamic State, killed 43 and wounded 239. Target was the "apostate" Shiites and Hezbollah, who support Bashar Assad militarily. Mufti (Sunni): "This crime has targeted innocent people." The condemnation of Ban Ki-moon. Lebanese parties push for unity.

Attempts are underway to find a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis. Bashar Assad’s fate divides the two sides. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey are the most intransigent. The risk is that the conflict might spread to the entire region.

Twice Russian military planes trespassed into Turkish airspace. NATO accuses Moscow of "irresponsible behavior". The UN is concerned about the " a lot of different countries and different coalitions " fighting in Syrian skies. A war for hegemony and influence in the Middle East. Iraq prefers the Russians to the US-led coalition: they are more "serious" in fighting Daesh. Even Italy goes to war.

Minimum force used. Protesters call for solutions to not only waste crisis, but also to year-long political stalemate over president.

Lebanon’s Maronite prelates call on political leaders to act before the institutional vacuum leads to the “fall of the Republic”. Speaking about the country waste management crisis, they call on officials to “differentiate between petty interests and the greater national good”. Similarly, they said that the Iran nuclear deal shows that dialogue is crucial, as Pope Francis said.