* Obama: I’ll forge new ties with Muslims In phone conversations with the leaders of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines on Friday, US President Barack Obama discussed his commitment to forging a new relationship with Islamic countries.

* Likud-Kadima coalition talks resumed The secret talks between the Likud and Kadima parties have been resumed recently in a bid to form a joint coalition.

* Bin Laden: Gaza offensive a ‘holocaust’ Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has called Israel’s operation in Gaza a “holocaust”.

* Obama aide: Talk to Hamas Economic Recovery Adviser Paul A. Volcker and nine former senior American officials have urged President Barack Obama to engage in dialogue with Hamas leaders.

* ‘Ahmadinejad to attend Sharm summit’ There will soon be a “real positive change” in ties between Arab countries and Iran.

* Rabbis after pope meeting: Crisis over “The Jewish people, who were chosen as the elected people, communicate to the whole human family knowledge of and fidelity to the one, unique and true God.”

* Palestinian unity negotiations near collapse Hamas and Fatah negotiators said on Thursday they are having difficulty reaching an agreement over the makeup and political program of a Palestinian unity government.

* Nasrallah vows to never recognize Israel In a recorded speech aired Friday evening in Beirut in honor of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly rejected a preliminary US condition for talks.

* ANALYSIS / Fatah-Hamas unity would pose major dilemma for Israel If the understandings reached on Thursday in Cairo between Fatah and Hamas remain valid even after the representatives from both sides return home, they are likely to expedite the release of Gilad Shalit.

* ‘Outside interference’ in Lisbon treaty campaign, Irish minister says Irish Europe minister Dick Roche has said there was “serious external interference” in the run-up to the country’s referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.