Germany has postponed a partial debt relief plan for Egypt worth 240 million euros (roughly $316 million) while expressing concerns of an emerging dictatorship in the country, German Development Minister Dirk Niebel said Dec. 17, DPA reported, citing Berliner Zeitung.

The United States will impose additional sanctions against Iran's nuclear proliferation networks, according to a Dec. 13 statement from the U.S. Treasury.

Islamic coalition forces in Egypt called for a million-man march Dec. 14-15 after Friday prayers, Youm7 reported Dec. 13.

European Union finance ministers brokered a deal Dec. 13 to create a single bank supervisor with powers to close down lenders across the eurozone, several officials said, AFP reported.

The Friends of Syria group will recognize the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition as the country's legitimate representative during a Dec. 12 meeting in Morocco, Al Arabiya and AFP reported.

Egypt and the International Monetary Fund agreed Dec. 11 to delay by a month a $4.8 billion deal, Egyptian Finance Minister Mumtaz al-Said said, Reuters reported.

The General Council of the World Trade Organization approved membership for Tajikistan on Dec. 10, and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy signed the country's accession protocol, Xinhua reported.

The United States will grant 180-day waiver on Iran sanctions for nine countries in exchange for cutting purchases of Iranian oil, an unnamed congressional aide said Dec. 7, Reuters reported.

Iran's crude exports are expected to drop by roughly a quarter in December from November to the lowest levels since new sanctions were applied earlier in 2012, unnamed industry sources with direct knowledge of Tehran's shipping plans said Dec. 6, Reuters reported.