* ‘Israel threatened Syria with strike if Hizbullah attacks’ Israel has secretly warned Syria that it may strike the country if Hizbullah attacks the Jewish state.

* Merkel, Blair to stage Middle East security talks German Chancellor Angela Merkel and peace envoy Tony Blair will jointly organise a Middle East security conference to be held at the beginning of June in Berlin.

* Islamic summit draft communique accuses Israel of ‘war crimes’ The world’s largest Muslim body will accuse Israel of committing war crimes against Palestinian civilians.

* Muslims nations: Defame Islam, get sued? The Muslim world has created a battle plan to defend its religion from political cartoonists and bigots.

* Iran polls vote count under way Vote counting is under way in Iran after parliamentary elections which conservatives are expected to win after many reformists were barred.

* Dutch brace for new anti-Islam film directed by far-right leader The Netherlands is feeling the pressure of the release in two weeks of an explosive short film entitled “Fitna” about the Koran.

* Israel putting spoke in wheels of ‘Abbas army’ What is delaying the training of Palestinian police officers in Jordan?

* Rice: Sides not showing commitment US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that not enough has been done by the Israelis or the Palestinians to demonstrate their commitment to peace.

* Syria wants ‘public’ peace talks with Israel Syria has recently relayed a message to Israel conveying the county’s interest in peace talks with Israel.

* Erekat: Barak busy planning incursions Israeli and Palestinian representatives sat down Friday at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel for their first meeting.