* Israel’s commitment to peace in doubt, Erekat says In op-ed published by Washington Post, chief Palestinian negotiator says ‘peace is not a word that sits comfortably with the Israeli right, which will dominate Israel’s new government.’

* EU warns Israel on two-state issue The European Union once again sent strong warning messages to Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday.

* Plan would narrow goals in Afghan war President Barack Obama’s plan to widen U.S. involvement in Afghanistan came after an internal debate in which Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. warned against getting into a political and military quagmire.

* Egypt to skip key Arab summit on unity Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will not be attending a key Arab League summit.

* Egypt, Saudis bend over backwards to extricate Syria from Iranian grip When the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Egypt last had Syria’s president alone in a room, earlier this month, it was classic good cop-bad cop.

* European NATO members at odds over strategic priorities NATO is increasingly lacking solidarity and unity of vision over future strategic options.

* Earth Hour May Prompt 1 Billion to Turn Off Lights Earth Hour, an event created in Sydney two years ago by environmentalists keen to cut energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, started today.

* Facebook users wage condom campaign against Pope Critics took to the social networking site Facebook to voice their fury over Pope Benedict’s remark that condoms do not prevent HIV.

* G20 demonstrators march in London Tens of thousands of people have marched through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, ahead of next week’s G20 summit.

* Obama sets Qaeda defeat as top goal in Afghanistan President Barack Obama unveiled a new war strategy for Afghanistan on Friday with a key goal — to crush al Qaeda militants there and in Pakistan.