* Iran FM attacks US policy in Iraq Iran has issued a strong attack against US policy in Iraq, blaming the American presence there for sectarian violence.

* Olmert not quitting, despite TA protest Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has declared that he has no intention of resigning in the wake of the Winograd report.

* Israeli Envoy: Syrian Build-up – the Strongest Since 1973 War Israel’s Ambassador in Washington says Syria is developing its most serious threat against Israel since it attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

* Homesh: ‘A settlement renewal point’ With the Israeli public’s morale at an all-time low, now is the time to launch a new bid for increased settlement activity in Judea and Samaria.

* Iran, Syria Hold Conferences on a ‘Culture of Resistance’ As Iran was hosting an international conference this week under the banner “The Muslim World: Victim of Terrorism,” Syria was holding its own international conference on “Arab and Islamic Media Support of the Palestinian People.”

* French poll rivals in final push France’s presidential candidates have started their final day of campaigning ahead of Sunday’s vote.

* Rice holds talks with Syrian FM US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem Thursday.

* Turkish MPs vote for early poll Turkey’s parliament has confirmed that early elections, aimed at ending a crisis over the party’s candidate for president, will be held on 22 July.

* PMO: Israel can’t commit to some of U.S. demands A United States timeline for bolstering Israeli-Palestinian talks met its first resistance on Friday.

* Iran ex-leader in Vatican visit The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has been received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.