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Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Feb. 11

Xinhua, February 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The West should lift "inhuman and illegal sanctions" against Iran as they are trying to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal with Tehran, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday.

While addressing a large crowd celebrating the 36th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Tehran's Azadi square, he advised the West "to seize the proper opportunity" in order to reach the agreement. (Iran-West-Sanction)

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SANAA -- The embassies of the United States, France and Britain announced Wednesday that they will withdraw their diplomatic staff from Yemen due to the security situation.

The U.S. embassy quoted a statement of the State Department posted on its website on Wednesday, saying that the U.S. government decides to suspend embassy operations in Sanaa and "will explore options for a return to Sanaa when the situation on the ground improves." (Yemen-Diplomacy-Withdrawing)

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SANAA -- Tens of thousands of people marched across Yemen's several cities on Wednesday in protest against Shiite Houthi militia's takeover of power.

The protesters staged demonstrations in the capital Sanaa, which is under control of Houthi militia since last September, and rallied in other major cities of Taiz, al-Hodayda, Ibb, Marib and Dhamar, witnesses said. (Yemen-Protest-Houthi)

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TRIPOLI -- Libya's warring factions on Wednesday resumed the UN-brokered dialogue in the southwestern oasis town of Ghadames, in an attempt to resolve the ongoing struggle between two governments and parliaments.

All parties have arrived in town, including members from the self-proclaimed parliament, the General National Congress (GNC), according to an official with the UN Support Mission in Libya, who added that parallel talks, attended by Libya's political activists and different interest groups, will be held simultaneously in the Swiss city of Geneva. (Libya-UN-Talks)

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RAFAH, Egypt -- At least 17 militants were killed on Wednesday during security raids in Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid cities in Egypt's North Sinai province, a security source told Xinhua.

"Four were killed in land raids while the other 13 were killed in an airstrike," the source added, noting that the raids destroyed seven buildings and 20 huts that were used as hiding places for the militants to launch their attacks. (Egypt-Raids-Sinai) Endit