* Mofaz confirms messages sent to Syria All options, including the military one, are on the table when it comes to dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

* Bush calls for action over Kosovo US President George W Bush has said a plan for Kosovo’s UN-backed independence should take effect now, despite Russian and Serbian opposition.

* Russia to US: Halt missile shield moves Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the United States on Saturday to halt moves to deploy missile defense facilities in Europe.

* Iraq condemns Turkish ‘shelling’ Iraq has made an official protest to Turkey, accusing it of shelling Kurdish areas in northern Iraq this week.

* ‘Palestinians united in seeking state’ The Palestinians are united in seeking a state in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, a senior Hamas leader said.

* Bush visits pope amid protests Pope Benedict has told the George Bush, US president, that the Vatican would like a “regional and negotiated” solution to Middle East conflicts.

* Lebanese Army Tightens Grip on Palestinian Militants Three more Lebanese soldiers were killed and at least a dozen injured Saturday in stepped-up clashes with Islamic militants hiding out in a Palestinian refugee camp.

* IDF ground troops enter southern Gaza Israel Defense Forces ground troops entered southern Gaza Saturday morning.

* Indonesia, Qatar delay UN condemnation of Ahmadinejad over Israel Indonesia and Qatar were responsible Friday for the delay of a proposed United Nations Security Council statement condemning comments by Iran’s president that forecast the destruction of Israel.

* Doubts emerge over Russia’s defence shield proposal The head of NATO has welcomed Moscow’s apparent backing down from its Cold War rhetoric over the US plan to place an anti-missile shield in central Europe.