Clashes between Egyptian forces, protesters enter fifth day

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CAIRO, Dec 20 (agencies): Clashes between Egyptian security forces and protesters demanding an end to military rule entered a fifth day Tuesday, as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced the beating of women as a "disgrace." Riot police and protesters hurled stones at each other, and police fired shots to disperse demonstrators through the night and into the morning, witnesses said, in violence that has left at least 12 people dead since Friday. Dozens of army deserters gunned down in Syria Dozens of army deserters have been shot dead by Syrian troops as they tried to flee their bases and join anti-government protests, reports say. Activist groups said more than 70 defectors were gunned down in the north-western Idlib province. Arrest warrant for Iraq Vice-President Iraqi authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the mainly Shia country's Sunni vice-president, leading to fears of the government's collapse and an increase in sectarian tensions. Meanwhile: Russia Monday stepped up demands for NATO to account for civilian deaths from the air strike campaign which led to the downfall of Libyan strongman Gaddafi. Saudi king calls for formation of Gulf union Saudi King Abdullah called for the formation of a Gulf union in response to growing threats, as rulers of the wealthy Arab GCC met Monday against a backdrop of regional turmoil and fears over Iran. "I ask today that we move from a phase of cooperation to a phase of union within a single entity," said the Saudi king, addressing his counterparts at the opening of the annual Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh. Bahrain opposition urges talks Bahrain opposition groups have urged the government to embark on "serious" dialogue to end the Gulf kingdom's crisis, condemning a harsh crackdown on sporadic but defiant Shiite protests.