Rice names W Asia pointman

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced on Monday the appointment of a US general as security coordinator to protect West Asia peace m...

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced on Monday the appointment of a US general as security coordinator to protect West Asia peace moves and that Israeli and Palestinian leaders would visit Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are due to hold a landmark summit in Egypt on Tuesday at which they are is expected to signal a formal truce. Rice said on Monday that they will meet separately with President George W. Bush in the spring.

Ending a West Asia visit that signalled a renewed US commitment to peace efforts after Yasser Arafat’s death, Rice told a news conference in Tel Aviv that Lieutenant-General William Ward had been appointed security coordinator. Ward was previously commander of the NATO Stabilisation Force in post-war Bosnia.

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Later in the day, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said negotiators from both sides finalized the agreement for a truce during last-minute preparations on Monday.

27 killed in Iraq blasts

BAGHDAD:

Suicide bombers killed at least 27 people in attacks in two cities on Monday in the worst bloodshed since Iraq’s historic polls eight days ago. Al Qaeda’s wing in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for the blasts and vowed to carry out more attacks.

At least 15 civilians were killed and 17 wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded outside the police headquarters in Baquba, northeast of Baghdad. In Mosul, 12 people were killed and four wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a crowd of police officers in a hospital compound. —Reuters

Canada, UK and Australia formally recognise a Palestinian state

World9 hr ago

The UK, Canada, and Australia have recognized Palestine as a state, going against the US and Israel's opposition. British PM Starmer aims to revive peace without Hamas and hostage release. Canada and Australia also recognize Palestine, condemning terrorism. Over 145 UN members recognize Palestine, with France likely to join soon.

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