* Iraq plea to help tackle violence Iraq’s prime minister has appealed to neighbouring states to co-operate in tackling the insurgency which has left tens of thousands dead since 2003.

* Israeli Diplomat: “Abu Mazen Lied to Us Thrice” PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah has broken three explicit promises he made to Israel regarding diplomatic matters, and “cannot be depended upon.”

* UN chief announces Middle East visit Ban Ki-moon says solving Israeli-Palestinian conflict would pave way for resolution of other issues in Middle East

* No deal on UN sanctions for Iran Russia and China have said they have reservations about some of the proposed UN Security Council sanctions to punish Iran for continuing to enrich uranium.

* Osama bin Laden turns 50 Osama Bin Laden, if he is alive, is turning 50 – most probably as a free man.

* UN panel tells Israel to stop settler violence Human rights watchdog group asks Israel to recalibrate security solutions to avoid discrimination against Palestinians, Arab Israelis.

* EU plans to restart high-level contacts with Syria The European Union plans to restart high-level contacts with Syria by sending foreign policy chief Javier Solana to Damascus for talks on Lebanon and Middle East peace.

* EU likely to affirm support for PA gov’t Leaders of European Union nations were expected to adopt a summit declaration Friday expressing support for a Palestinian unity government

* Fatah and Hamas clash despite talks Fatah gunmen have shot at the convoy of a minister from the Hamas movement in the occupied West Bank, the first factional violence since Palestinian unity talks began a month ago.

* Final Kosovo talks end deadlocked A final round of talks between top Serbian and ethnic Albanian leaders on the future of Kosovo has ended without agreement in Vienna.