* Baghdad security crackdown begins Iraq has imposed a raft of draconian new security rules on its war-torn capital.

* Aides deny claims Sadr has fled Iraq Supporters of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr today denied he had fled to Iran to evade a US crackdown aimed at curbing the spiralling violence in Iraq.

* Nato strike targets Taliban leader A Nato air strike has destroyed a compound housing a Taliban leader responsible for a wave of violence across southern Afghanistan.

* Thousands rally in Lebanon on Hariri anniversary Tens of thousands packed into a city square Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

* Golan belongs to Syria, Druze protest “The Golan is an inseparable part of Syria,” protested some 1,000 Syrians and 500 Druze.

* Lieberman Says Israel is On Its Own With Iran Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Russian immigrant party Yisrael Beiteinu said that the Jewish State will not be able to depend on the international community to protect Israel from the Iranian threat.

* Former Mossad chief: Assassinate Ahmadinejad Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should “be made to disappear from the arena,” Meir Amit, a former director of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, advocated.

* Ashkenazi takes over as IDF chief, says army ready to implement Lebanon war lessons Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi took over as the 19th Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Wednesday morning, replacing Dan Halutz.

* Mugrabi bridge built for attack on mosque, Salah says The Israeli works near the al-Aqsa Mosque are meant as a direct attack on the holy Muslim site, Sheikh Ra’ed Salah of the Islamic Movement stated.

* Anglicans face difficult summit Leaders of the Anglican Church have gathered in Tanzania for a summit which is likely to be dominated by the divisive issue of homosexuality.