The Financial Times reports that rating agency Fitch said Lebanon is likely to default on its huge debts as it downgraded the country’s credit rating, citing political stalemate in Beirut as the country’s economic crisis deepens.

Reuters reports that Israel’s president on Thursday urged Israelis not to lose faith in their democratic system after persistent political deadlock threw the country into a third election in less than a year.

The Associated Press reports that whilst Israel heads into its third straight election in a year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to buy some much-needed time as he tries to fend off criminal corruption charges.

The Guardian reports that opposition calls for a mass boycott of presidential elections in Algeria appeared to have succeeded on Thursday, as polls shut after a day marked by mass demonstrations, police clashes and a wave of arrests. BBC News reports that Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Algerian capital, Algiers, to protest against Thursday’s presidential election. Protesters briefly overran a polling station and attempts by police to disperse the crowd failed.

The Times reports that Saudi Aramco has reached the $2 trillion threshold, but doubts persist as international analysts remained sceptical over its valuation.

The Times reports that a shadowy pro-Iran militia has killed scores of Iraqis at a Baghdad bridge, where protesters have told stories of torture and murder by radical Shia forces roaming the Iraqi capital.

The Telegraph reports that an Iraqi mob killed a 16-year-old and strung up the corpse by its feet from a traffic pole after the teen shot and killed six people on Thursday, including four anti-government protesters, Iraqi officials said.

Reuters reports that US negotiators are taking a “brief pause” from talks with the Taliban after they launched a suicide attack on a US base outside Kabul killing two civilians, Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday.

Reuters reports that the US Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution that recognises as a genocide the mass killings of Armenians a century ago, a historic move that infuriated Turkey and dealt a blow to the already problematic ties between Ankara and Washington.

Reuters reports that Lebanon’s largest Christian political party will not join a new government under the terms set by caretaker premier Saad al-Hariri, but will not obstruct the formation of a new cabinet, its leader said on Thursday.

The Economist reports that, as Lebanon’s economy drowns in debt, Syria’s begins to sink as well, whilst politicians in both countries seem unable to cope.

The Economist reports that foreign powers, including Russia, are ‘piling into’ Libya, dryly suggesting these incursions are just what a failed state needs.

In The Huffington Post, Akbar Sahid Ahmed argues that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will be more forthcoming than the Obama administration regarding  US policy on Saudi Arabia.

Israeli polls predict another deadlock: All the Israeli media report the latest opinion polls. Maariv’s poll predicts that Blue and White will win 35 seats, Likud 33, Joint List 12, Shas 8, United Torah Judaism 7, Yisrael Beteinu 7, New Right (Shaked and Bennett) 5, Union of Right Wing Parties 4, Labour Party 5, Democratic Union 4. This would give the right-wing bloc 57 seats, the centre-left 56 seats. The Channel 12 News poll had similar figures with Blue and White predicted to win 35 seats, Likud 32, the Joint List 13, Yisrael Beteinu 8, Shas 8, United Torah Judaism 8, New Right 6, Labour Party 5, Democratic Union 5. The Union of Right Wing Parties is not predicted to win any seats. Yisrael Hayom have produced polls to measure Likud support led by Benjamin Netanyahu or if it were led by Gideon Saar. With Netanyahu leading Likud, Blue and White are predicted to win 37 seats and Likud 31. With Saar leading the Likud, Blue and White would win 33 seats and Likud 31 seats. In the head to head polls, Netanyahu is preferred as Prime Minister by 42% and Benny Gantz 40%. When asked to choose between Gantz and Saar, Gantz receives 36% and Saar 31%.

Lieberman says Netanyahu should retire and be pardoned: All the Israeli media report comments by Avigdor Lieberman yesterday that he would not support immunity for Netanyahu but would support a clemency deal if he leaves politics. Lieberman said: “No one wants to see him in the political establishment—and everyone is really willing to give him the option of leaving with dignity. The Knesset is fed up with Netanyahu, he’s become a burden … no one wants to see a prime minister in prison, but every footballer needs to know when to hang up his shoes.” Kan News reports that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz has not ruled out a pardon proposal for Netanyahu.

Israeli election could disrupt possible Israel – Hamas ceasefire understandings: According to Amos Harel in Haaretz, Israeli security officials are concerned that the political stalemate in Israel will hinder efforts to reach a long term ceasefire arrangement with Hamas. He writes: “In recent weeks the army has seen an opening for expediting the indirect talks being conducted with Hamas, which could lead to a lengthy break in fighting. But the contacts haven’t seen enough progress, and meanwhile, a new political agenda arising from another election is liable to disrupt the formulation of understandings.” He further notes the IDF have, “expressed support for a series of relief measures for Gaza, like moving forward large water, power, and sewage infrastructure projects, establishing an industrial zone and increasing the number of permits for Gaza labourers to work in Israeli communities near the Strip.”