A man takes a photo of his friend in front of a poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at Umayyad Square in Damascus
A man takes a photo of his friend in front of a poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at Umayyad Square in Damascus May 16, 2014. Syria is holding a presidential election for June 3, preparing the ground for Assad to defy widespread opposition and extend his grip on power, days after he said the civil war was turning in his favour. Opponents have dismissed the vote as a farce. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Bulgarian Socialists face fourth no-confidence vote
BULGARIA-GOVERNMENT/:Bulgarian Socialists face fourth no-confidence vote
China arms giant says never exported chlorine gas to Syria
SYRIA-CRISIS/CHINA:China arms giant says never exported chlorine gas to Syria
Yemen says it has foiled al Qaeda attacks in Sanaa
YEMEN-SECURITY/QAEDA:Yemen says it has foiled al Qaeda attacks in Sanaa
A girl walks near the shadow cast by a truck with an anti-aircraft gun mounted on it, at the countryside in Idlib
A girl walks near the shadow cast by a truck with an anti-aircraft gun mounted on it, at the countryside in Idlib May 15, 2014. Picture taken May 15, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Free Syrian Army fighters prepare weapons to fire towards forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at the countryside in Idlib
Free Syrian Army fighters prepare weapons to fire towards forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at the countryside in Idlib May 15, 2014. Picture taken May 15, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Free Syrian Army fighters fire an anti-aircraft gun towards a jet loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at the countryside in Idlib
Free Syrian Army fighters fire an anti-aircraft gun towards a jet loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at the countryside in Idlib May 15, 2014. Picture taken May 15, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Free Syrian Army fighters prepare weapons to fire towards forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at the countryside in Idlib
Free Syrian Army fighters prepare weapons to fire towards forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at the countryside in Idlib May 15, 2014. Picture taken May 15, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Cold-shouldered by West, Putin will hope for some China sympathy
CHINA-RUSSIA/ (PIX):Cold-shouldered by West, Putin will hope for some China sympathy
Thousands flee Iraq government assault on rebel-held Falluja
Residents say bombardment appears aimed at driving out all civilians in readiness for a major assault on armed groups