Events in Egypt, Bahrain and Syria illustrate the limits of U.S. influence in the Middle East following the Arab Spring and a U.S. reluctance, at times, to exercise such clout as it has.

The opposition Syrian National Council issues a cry for help to save Homs and other cities from attacks by President Bashar Assad's regime, and repeated its call for UN intervention.

Head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, says dialogue is needed at all times as it protects Lebanon and offers a means to resolving crises.

Suicide car bombers attack three churches in northern Nigeria, killing at least 19 people and wounding dozens, and triggering retaliatory attacks by Christian youths who dragged Muslims from cars and killed them, officials and witnesses said.