* Iranian general supervised Hamas arms, source says A Palestinian source has said that the Iranian general nabbed in Gaza by Palestinian security officers supervised the manufacturing weapons and explosives for Hamas.

* UN chief urges Mideast Quartet to ‘go beyond mere statements’ United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged his partners in the Middle East Quartet of peace negotiators to get serious.

* Ten die as Gaza truce collapses At least 10 people have been killed in fresh fighting between the rival Fatah and Hamas factions in Gaza after a three-day-old truce collapsed.

* Saudi diplomat slams Holocaust denial In stark contrast to Iran’s promotion of Holocaust denial, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the US Turki Al-Faisal attended a Capitol Hill reception condemning anti-Semitism.

* Don’t mess with Israel, open letter to Iranians says Israeli citizens write letter reading, ‘Your current leadership will be held responsible for the destruction of the Iranian nation’.

* Kosovo ‘should split from Serbia’ Kosovo will be allowed to separate from Serbia and use its own national symbols under proposals to end its limbo status drawn up by the UN’s special envoy.

* Putin promises free elections Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has promised Russians a “free democratic choice” in presidential elections.

* Olmert: Israel won Lebanon war Aides say prime minister told Winograd Commission that despite failures, Israel achieved significant diplomatic and military successes.

* Rifts emerge over EU’s 50th birthday declaration Political divisions are emerging over the EU’s 50th birthday declaration.

* Darfur overshadows Hu’s Sudan visit Hu Jintao has arrived in Sudan on the first-ever visit by a Chinese president to the African country.