Dubai: Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri, in a video recording posted on the Internet on Sunday, urged Syrians not to rely on the West or Arab governments in their uprising to topple President Bashar al-Assad. In the eight-minute video, entitled "Onwards, Lions of Syria" and posted on an Islamist website, the Egyptian-born Zawahri also urged Muslims in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan to come to the aid of Syrian rebels confronting Assad's forces.

By TIM ARANGO and DURAID ADNAN Published: February 12, 2012 FALLUJA, Iraq - Not so long ago, Syrians worked to send weapons and fighters into Iraq to help Sunnis fighting a sectarian conflict; suddenly, it is the other way around. Enlarge This Image The New York Times Support for Syria's rebels runs high in Iraqi cities like Fallujah. Related Times Topic: Syria - Protests (2011-) Connect With Us on Twitter Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.

Pakistan appears to be encouraging a detente with Kabul and Washington, launching a diplomatic offensive to ensure that it remains central to efforts to initiate peace talks with the Taliban. After 2011, a disastrous year for Pakistan's image abroad following the discovery that Osama bin Laden lived for at least five years in a garrison city, Islamabad is now trying to seize back the initiative. The country has been badly destabilised by the Afghan war.

By Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Associated Press February 12, 2012 Syrian anti-Assad rebels are seen outside of Idlib, Syria, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.

February 13, 2012, 12:29 AM EST Business Exchange E-mail Print More From Businessweek ChinaБ─(tm)s Xi Seeks Second Front for U.S. Ties in Return to Iowa S. Korea Lawmakers Make First Gaeseong Trip Since Kim Death Pakistan Top Court Rejects Gilani Appeal on Contempt Order U.S.

By Femi Adi and Daniel Ten Kate - Mon Feb 13 05:06:40 GMT 2012 The terrorism trial of Indonesian militant Umar Patek began today in Jakarta for his alleged role in bombings that killed 202 people in Bali, highlighting Southeast Asia's battle to dismantle militant groups. A conviction on mass murder charges could lead to the death penalty, Patek's lawyer, Asludin Adjani, said by telephone from Jakarta.

Activists have reported fresh government attacks on districts of Homs Syria has "categorically rejected" an Arab League resolution calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission to end the country's 11-month conflict. The resolution, seen by the BBC but not yet officially released, also said the League was ending all diplomatic co-operation with Syria. Damascus's envoy in Cairo, Yusuf Ahmed, said the plan "reflected the hysteria of these governments".

Pakistan appears to be encouraging a detente with Kabul and Washington, launching a diplomatic offensive to ensure that it remains central to efforts to initiate peace talks with the Taliban. After 2011, a disastrous year for Pakistan's image abroad following the discovery that Osama bin Laden lived for at least five years in a garrison city, Islamabad is now trying to seize back the initiative. The country has been badly destabilised by the Afghan war.

February 12, 2012, 11:07 PM EST Business Exchange E-mail Print More From Businessweek ChinaБ─(tm)s Xi Seeks Second Front for U.S. Ties in Return to Iowa S. Korea Lawmakers Make First Gaeseong Trip Since Kim Death Pakistan Top Court Rejects Gilani Appeal on Contempt Order U.S.

February 12, 2012, 11:07 PM EST Business Exchange E-mail Print More From Businessweek Primary GlobalБ─(tm)s James Fleishman Denied Bail Pending Appeal Mets Used Madoff Money for Deferred Compensation, Picard Says Armstrong Lawyer Says FBI Sought Information on Leak Complaint Rush to Open Sept.