AFP - The United States accused Hezbollah on Tuesday of using intimidation to gain government control in Lebanon and vowed that the work of the UN-backed Hariri tribunal would continue regardless.

AP - A senior U.S. military officer who oversaw the training of Palestinian security forces in the West Bank was aware that some engaged in the torture of detainees, according to a confidential document published Tuesday.

AP - The Obama administration is reconsidering U.S. economic and military support for Lebanon after the militant Iranian-backed group Hezbollah won a prominent role in the government of the fragile Mideast state where the U.S. has spent millions promoting a pro-Western agenda.

AFP - Top Israeli and Palestinian officials discussed killing a Palestinian militant and British security urged Palestinian police to intern Hamas leaders, documents leaked late on Tuesday suggested.

AFP - Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati was named Lebanon's prime minister-designate on Tuesday, giving the Shiite militant group increased leverage in the deeply divided country to the anger of many Sunnis.

AFP - A senior Palestinian on Tuesday accused Al-Jazeera of plotting against the Ramallah government as president Mahmud Abbas tried to play down the channel's damaging revelations.

AP - The billionaire businessman chosen by Hezbollah and its allies as Lebanon's prime minister called for a unity government Tuesday, a sign that the Iranian-backed militant group does not want to push its growing power too far and risk isolation abroad and an escalation of sectarian tensions at home.

AFP - Two rockets fired by militants in the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel on Tuesday evening but there were no reports of casualties, the Israeli army told AFP.

Reuters - Hundreds of angry protesters burned tyres and blocked roads across Lebanon on Tuesday after a Hezbollah-backed politician was named prime minister, shifting the balance of power in the country toward Syria and Iran.

AFP - Ireland said Tuesday it was upgrading the status of the Palestinian diplomatic delegation in Dublin to a mission, becoming the fifth European country to accord it a rank just below embassy.

AFP - Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called on outgoing Lebanese premier Saad Hariri on Tuesday to join the cabinet being formed by Prime Minster-designate Najib Mikati.

AFP - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday dismissed the leak of hundreds of secret files on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks as nothing but a "boring soap opera."

AFP - Outgoing Lebanese premier Saad Hariri denounced on Tuesday violent incidents that erupted during protests by his supporters against the appointment of a Hezbollah-backed candidate to head the new government.