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

DOHA -- Qatar is seeking international arbitration to end the blockade imposed by three of its Gulf neighbours and Egypt, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported Thursday morning.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lulwah al-Khater made the announcement on Wednesday, days after a UN report said the Saudi-led blockade on Qatar is "arbitrary and negatively impacting the people of the region." (Qatar-Blockade)

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DAMASCUS -- An array of rebel groups in northern Syria unleashed a major counter-offensive on Thursday to foil a Syrian military campaign in the northwestern province of Idlib, following significant advance of the government forces in that key rebel bastion.

The counter-offensive was unleashed by two rebel operation parts: the first consisted of the Turkey-backed Ahrar al-Sham, Jaish al-Ezzah, the Turkistan Party, and Nour Addien al-Zinki, while the second is formed of Jaish al-Naser, the Free Idlib Army, the Elite Forces and the Second Army rebels, opposition activists reported. (Syria-Rebels)

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GAZA -- Two Palestinians were killed and 10 others wounded on Thursday during clashes with Israeli troops, local sources said.

Ashraf al Qedra, spokesman of the health ministry in Gaza, said in a text message sent to reporters, that a Palestinian young man was killed and five others wounded by Israeli troops' gunfire near the border between eastern Gaza and Israel. (Israel-Palestine-Clashes)

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TRIPOLI -- Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj on Thursday urged the international community to partially lift the arms embargo on Libya.

Serraj made the remarks during his visit to the Libyan naval vessel Abo-Auf in the capital Tripoli, which returned to service after maintenance. (Libya-Arms Embargo) Enditem