Maktoob: Russia, U.S. have found common ground on Syria peace talks participants - Kerry MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russia and the United States have found "common ground" on which opposition groups should participate in Syrian peace talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday after a meeting with Russian President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Andrew Osborn) 9 years ago

Maktoob: Iran says hurrying to implement its side of nuclear deal (Adds detail, background, quotes) VIENNA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Iran is hurrying to implement its side of a deal with world powers so as to bring about the lifting of international sanctions as quickly as possible, Tehran's envoy to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday. The envoy, Reza Najafi, was speaking shortly after the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board decided to close its investigation of Iran's past nuclear activities, throwing its support behind Tehran's deal with major powers. Under that deal, Iran must shrink its nuclear programme. 9 years ago

Maktoob: Russia names Syrian rebel groups it says it is supporting with air strikes (Adds quotes, details, background) MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday its planes had carried out air strikes to support four rebel groups in Syria, saying it was working to try to unite the efforts of the Free Syrian Army and government troops against Islamic State. The General Staff of the Russian army issued the statement as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, with Syria topping the agenda. 9 years ago

Maktoob: Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military coalition against militants * New alliance to unite Sunni states against IS, al Qaeda * U.S. defense secretary, visiting region, welcomes move * Announcement coincides with ceasefire in Yemen conflict (Adds details from foreign minister) By Noah Browning and John Irish DUBAI/PARIS, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A new Saudi-led Islamic coalition will share information and train, equip and provide forces if necessary for the fight against miltants such as Islamic State and al Qaeda, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia announced earlier in the day the formation of the 34-nation military alliance, a move welcomed by the United States which has been urging a greater regional involvement in the campaign against the Islamic State militants who control swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria. 9 years ago

Maktoob: UAE, China to collaborate on renewable energy A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between UAE and China to collaborate on research and development oriented real estate and renewable energy power generation between the two countries. The delegation headed by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, includes Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, who signed the memorandum with his counterpart Wang Shi, Chairman of Vanke. 9 years ago