There were sporadic instances of violence in Tunis on Friday, as police and mourners clashed at the funeral of the assassinated opposition leader, Chokri Belaid.

Over 50,000 Tunisians came out onto the streets in Belaid's home district of Jebel al-Jaloud in Tunis.

Shouting anti-government and anti-Islamic slogans, the mourners called for a second revolution saying: "Belaid, rest in peace, we will continue the struggle."

Al-Qaeda linked, Islamist militant group 'Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa' (MUJAO), has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in the northern Mali town of Gao on Friday morning.

It is believed to be the first known suicide attack in Mali, since the French troops entered the north in early January.

The attack was carried out by an individual on a motorbike, who detonated his explosives after approaching a group of soldiers at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Gao.

"Negotiating with America will not solve any problems,"

The United States government has cautioned Kenyan voters against electing a president who has been summoned by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Without naming the electoral candidate in question, U.S diplomat Johnnie Carson, spoke on the importance of correct choice, stating,

Former CIA director nominee John Brennan today faced questioning at a Senate confirmation hearing about US drone strikes.

Mr Brennan said that drone attacks were only ever a last resort and refuted claims that strikes were used as punishments for past offences.

The Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, has told the BBC's HardTalk programme, that the organisation is in talks with the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas regarding a national unity government, and presidential and parliamentary elections. 

Meshaal said:

"We are forging ahead with the reconciliation,"

The Tunisian prime minister, Hamadi Jebali, announced on Wednesday that the country would form a new government of non-partisan technocrats until elections could be held.

The sudden announcement came after killing of a leading opposition figure and anti-Islamist politican, Chokri Belaid. Belaid was shot in the head and neck in Tunis.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that the people of the Falkland Islands must “decide their own future”, after meeting with the island’s representatives.

Speaking after meeting members of the islands’ legislative assembly, Hague said,

Syria’s besieged President Bashar Al-Assad has slammed Israeli airstrikes on an alleged arms convoy in the country, accusing Israel of attempting to destabilise the country.

Stating that Israel was now co-operating with foreign forces aligned to Syrian rebels, Assad said,