Other stories from around the world in brief
Peacekeepers turned down by Mogadishu
MOGADISHU - Somalia's newly powerful Islamists told a visiting mission of African, Arab and European officials yesterday that they would not accept a planned deployment of foreign peacekeepers in the turbulent Horn of Africa nation.
The delegation included figures from the African Union, regional body IGAD, Arab League and Europe. - (Reuters)
Fast action on Iran nuclear issue urged
MOSCOW - Russian president Vladimir Putin said yesterday he wanted a "quicker" response from Iran to major powers' proposals over its nuclear programme, but spoke out against sanctions.
"We would like this reaction to be quicker, and the talks that should begin on the basis of these proposals should be constructive." - (Reuters)
Spain's ruling party meets Batasuna
MADRID - A top member of Spain's ruling Socialists yesterday met the leader of Basque separatist party Batasuna for the first time since it was banned, but insisted it must distance itself from violence. The meeting in San Sebastian was flagged as a key step towards talks to end the 38-year conflict which has claimed more than 800 lives. - (Reuters)
Election puts coalition in doubt
KIEV - Socialist Oleksander Moroz was elected speaker of parliament yesterday with the help of Ukraine's opposition, jeopardising a prospective government coalition made up of backers of the 2004 "Orange Revolution". Moroz won 238 votes in the 450-seat assembly with support from the Regions Party, sympathetic to Moscow, and communists. - (Reuters)