UN arms inspectors touch Iraqi soil

By: Ismail Zabeeh

BAGHDAD, Iraq: UN weapons inspectors arrived in Baghdad on Monday to re-launch the hunt for Iraq's suspected mass destruction weapons.

The chief of the UN team Hans Blix and Muhammad El Baradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency are heading the team comprised of nearly 30 technicians and others who will set up communications and laboratories for the inspections.

On November 27, the first actual inspections will take place. Blix said inspectors would report both cooperation and any lack of cooperation by Iraq to the UN Security Council, which will decide what action to take.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz has pledged his country will cooperate fully with the inspections. He said American charges that Iraq has been developing weapons of mass destruction would be exposed “as lies”.

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Israel strikes Gaza security compound

By: Ahmad Hammadi

GAZA CITY: An Israeli armored column backed by helicopter gunships struck Gaza City early Monday, targeting the Palestinian headquarters of Preventive Security, the main official Palestinian security force.

Air-launched missiles and shells hit the site in the Tel al Awar district at least twice before Israeli bulldozers moved in and started destroying the buildings.

Two Palestinian security officers and a TV cameraman were wounded in the raid.

Israeli officials said Palestinian security personnel in Gaza City were involved in supporting terrorist activity in the area.

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Kharrazi in Brussels for talks

By: Special Reporter

BRUSSELS: Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi is in Brussels for talks with top European Union and Belgian officials on the progress of relations between the EU and Iran.

Kharrazi, who arrived on Monday, held meetings with EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, President of the EU Commission Romano Prodi and Commissioner for trade Pascal Lamy.

Tuesday, Iran’s minister is expected to meet his Belgian counterpart Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for foreign relations Chris Patten and President of the Belgian parliament Herman de Croo.

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Pak asks world to be mindful of India’s hi-tech arms

By: Salman Alvi

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Islamabad has urged on Monday the international community to be vigilant and careful of New Delhi's acquisition of hi-tech weapons.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office Spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan said unnecessary arms procurement would encourage India to be more belligerent and aggressive.

“We have seen (this) offensive posture against Pakistan,” he said referring India's poising of over a million troops on its borders with Pakistan since last December.

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Haitian protestors demand president to quit

By: Special Reporter

CAP HAITIEN: Thousands of Haitians including former military officers and opposition politicians demonstrated in the country's second largest city, Cap Haitien, calling for the resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Aristide has been locked in a dispute since he took office two years ago with opposition parties who claim his party rigged legislative elections.

Flanked by riot police, as many as 8,000 people took to the streets. They were chanting the slogans: “We're hungry” and “Aristide must go”.

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