Syria has started to allow private firms to import fuel and plans to eliminate all tariffs on many basic commodities as it seeks to cope with shortages, soaring prices and public discontent in the midst of a civil war. More from Reuters The number of real estate sales in Lebanon plunged in 2012 but the total value of transactions grew by 3.8 percent, statistics published by the Directorate of Land Registry showed. More from The Daily Star Hundreds of Palestinian government workers protested outside their prime minister's office on Tuesday saying they had not received a full salary in almost three months amid a deepening financial crisis. More from The Daily Star The central bank of Egypt says the government has accepted the resignation of its deputy governor, less than a week after her boss said that he was quitting. More from Reuters Oman's government has
