* J’lem slams Russian decision to supply weapons to Syria Jerusalem aimed harsh criticism at Russia on Friday for its decision to supply Syria with advanced missiles.

* Israel pushing to improve Saudi peace initiative ahead of Riyadh summit Israel is expecting the Arab League to adopt an improved version of the Saudi peace plan at a summit meeting called for the end of this month in Riyadh.

* Syria ups army infrastructure on border Syria has spent the past few months constructing and moving infrastructure to its southern border that could be used to launch a war against Israel.

* Western intelligence sources worried by jihadist upsurge in Lebanon Western intelligence agencies are worried by a growing concentration of terror operatives associated with the global jihad movement in Lebanon.

* Peretz, Olmert at odds over outposts Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s determination to evacuate illegal West Bank settlements may put him on a collision course with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

* Vatican, not Afghanistan, sunk Prodi The plan to give same sex couples some legal rights was able to hijack an essential and poignant issue such as the Afghanistan-NATO vote.

* Ahmadinejad visit to Saudi Arabia confirmed in Tehran Tehran confirmed Friday a state visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Saudi Arabia.

* Ahmadinejad Blames U.S., Israel for Wars Iran’s president blamed the United States and Israel for the world’s problems.

* Pre-Purim “Fast of Esther” Today he joyous month of Adar takes a “day off” to commemorate the fasting and prayers led by Queen Esther against the genocidal decree of the evil Haman.

* Hungarian PM warns of rise in anti-Semitism Gyurcsany tells Times newspaper, ‘There have never been so many anti-Semitic remarks as now’.