Lastnight World

Soldier marks year 5 in Hamas captivity

GAZA CITY: The Islamic militant group Hamas said the Israeli soldier theyve held for the past five years will only be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Tank crewman Gilad Schalit has been held by Hamas since June 25,2006,when he was captured inside Israel in a raid. Schalit hasnt been seen since,and his condition is unknown. Hamas said in a 39-second video uploaded Saturday to an official group website that Schalit wont see the light until thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails are released.

Two explosions heard in Tripoli

TRIPOLI: Two loud explosions were heard in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Saturday as jets flew over the city,a Reuters witness reported. The witness said it appeared the explosions came from the eastern Tripoli suburb of Tajura. Several explosions had already shaken the city on Friday night.

Syrian forces kill 15,say activists

AMMAN: Syrian security forces shot dead at least 15 people on Friday after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad,witnesses and activists said. The Local Coordination Committees,a main activists group,said it had the names of 14 civilians killed in Homs,Kiswa,and Barzeh. Another protester was shot dead in Qusair,a rights group said.