* Palestinian talks into second day Leaders of Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas are to continue crisis talks for a second day in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca.

* Saniora tells LAF to counter IDF threats Prime Minister Fuad Saniora on Thursday ordered the Lebanese Armed Forces to respond to Israeli threats to Lebanese sovereignty.

* Hundreds gather in Jerusalem to protest Temple Mt. construction Hundreds of people gathered outside the Old City of Jerusalem’s Dung Gate on Thursday to protest against the construction of a new bridge to the Temple Mount.

* Iran successfully test fires land-to-sea missile Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards successfully has test-fired a land-to-sea missile with a range of about 350 kilometres (210 miles).

* Rice rejects Middle East ‘linkage’ concept US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice rejected Wednesday the linkage concept.

* Deputy health minister arrested in U.S.-Iraqi raid U.S. and Iraqi forces raided an Iraqi Health Ministry complex in central Baghdad Thursday morning and arrested the deputy health minister.

* Archeologist: Ancient cistern proves location of Second Temple An Israeli archeologist said Wednesday that he has pinpointed the exact location of the Second Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.

* U.S., Africans Vow to Fight Terrorism Military chiefs of nine African countries pledged Wednesday to work with U.S. forces to prevent the spread of terrorism in the Sahara desert region.

* Syria says firm in support of Hizbullah, Hamas President Bashar Assad vows to keep supporting Hizbullah and Hamas despite US pressure on Syria to stop backing groups.

* Cameras to track Mughrabi excavations Israel plans to install security cameras at the Mughrabi excavation site which will broadcast real-time footage of the controversial construction outside the Temple Mount.