* Moallem: Syria-Iran strategic alliance strong The “strategic alliance” between Syria and Iran is strong and will not be shaken by the possibility of a peace treaty with Israel.

* Government funds Muslim thinkers The British government is to fund a board of Islamic theologians in an attempt to sideline violent extremists.

* Hizbullah moves into ‘every town’ Hizbullah is bolstering its presence in south Lebanon villages with non-Shi’ite majorities by buying land and using it to build military positions.

* Ignoring a war in northern Iraq? Iraqi MPs and politicians have accused the Baghdad government of tolerating an Iranian military campaign on Iraq’s northern territories.

* Mofaz repeats his talk of attacking Iran Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, who stands a good chance of becoming prime minister shortly after September’s Kadima primary, defended his hawkish statements about a prospective attack on Iran.

* Samir Kuntar: I’m yearning more than ever to confront Israel Five militants who were freed Wednesday as part of a prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah.

* Israeli Arab indicted on suspicion of planning Bush assassination Four Israeli Arabs from east Jerusalem and two from Nazareth have been indicted for allegedly setting up an Al-Qaida cell.

* Iran: US presence at nuclear talks ‘positive’ Iran’s foreign minister said Friday that forthcoming nuclear talks in Geneva and the participation of a US diplomat for the first time look positive and he expects progress.

* Pope: All faiths should unite against violence Pope Benedict XVI on Friday urged religious leaders of all kinds to unite against those who use faith to divide communities.

* ICC probes Darfur rebel leaders Rebel leaders from Sudan’s Darfur region are being investigated for war crimes, says International Criminal Court’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.