A survey by the Pew Research Centre in Washington has shown that the majority of Egyptians are supportive of President Mohammad Morsi's regime, despite a decline of confidence in the Muslim Brotherhood, to which the President belongs.

The poll, published on Thursday, revealed that 30 per cent of Egyptians believe that their country is heading in the right direction, compared to 53 per cent last year, and 56 per cent in 2011. Moreover, only 39 per cent believe that conditions are better than what they were during President Hosni Mubarak's rule.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has said that regarding Palestinian internal reconciliation, he "absolutely does not feel that the Egyptian position is closer to Hamas". "If I felt so, I would not be here in Cairo," he told Egyptian journalists.

In a meeting with the chief editors of Egyptian newspapers, Abbas said: "No one can deny that Hamas is a part of the Muslim Brotherhood, but what I heard from President Mohammed Morsi was that Egypt is still keen on achieving Palestinian reconciliation."

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday morning that Russia sent 12 warships on naval tours near its naval base in Syria. American and European officials described the move as "violent and aimed at warning the West and Israel against intervening in the Syrian conflict."

News agencies, including Egyptian and Syrian agencies, reported yesterday that 5 Russian warships had crossed the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean Sea. The spokesperson for the Russian fleet in the Atlantic Ocean said that it was the first time in decades that ships of the Russian fleet had sailed in the area. According to him, the 5 ships are headed for the Limassol marina in Cyprus.

The Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Shoygu, stated that the Ministry of Defence began the formation of a special warship force of in the Mediterranean Sea to protect Russian interests in the region.

The American Newseum has backed down from its decision to honour two Palestinian journalists, Mahmoud al-Kumi and Hussam Salama, by including their photos on the museum's memorial wall honouring journalists killed in the line of duty.

The Middle East Monitor (MEMO) has held a function to honour and celebrate the life achievements of the distinguished Iraqi-born scholar Dr Jafar Hadi Hassan. Well known for his pioneering studies of Jewish sects, Dr Hasan is also an accomplished linguist, specialising in Semitic languages. The event was held at the P21 Gallery, London and attended by a number of Iraqi academics and British dignitaries.

During his academic career, Dr Hassan lectured at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, Manchester University and McGill University, Montreal.

The General Secretary of the Palestinian Ministerial Council in Gaza, Abdul-Salam Syam, said on Tuesday that Malaysia had agreed a $6million grant for re-construction projects in Gaza.

According to Seyam, the grant included reconstruction of the ministerial council’s HQ in the Gaza Strip which was targeted and destroyed in the most recent Israeli war on Gaza last November. A mosque which was destroyed during the war was included.

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EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

The Middle East Monitor are pleased to announce that Jen Marlowe and Sami Al-Jundi have been awarded the Palestine Book Award 2012 for their book The Hour of Sunlight published by Nation Books.

The Academic Award has been won by Sara Roy for her book Hamas and Civil Society in Gaza: Engaging the Islamist Social Sector published by Princeton University Press.