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This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate in the House of Lords on 1 July on recent developments in Syria, the Middle East, and North Africa. It provides in-depth information and material on Syria, and a brief summary of recent developments in selected countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Egypt and Libya). This Note adds to and updates information provided in House of Lords Library Note LLN 2012/029 Recent Developments in the Middle East (13 July 2012).

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