NAIROBI, Kenya – Hassan al-Turabi, a flamboyant Islamist leader who was once friends with Osama bin Laden, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of fomenting a rebellion.
Sudanese officials released al-Turabi from jail by the end of the day, but they said he may have helped a rebel force from Darfur that staged a bold, unprecedented attack Saturday on Khartoum, the capital.
Government security services seem to have prevailed, though yesterday a band of rebels slipped into central Khartoum. Residents said one fighter took up a position in a tall building and fired down at police officers until he ran out of ammunition and was killed.
New York Times News Service
Lebanese army to use
force to end fighting
BEIRUT, Lebanon – The Lebanese army said yesterday that it would start using force to stop fighting between supporters of the governing coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition, a step the army had not taken during almost a week of sectarian violence that recalled the country's 15-year civil war.
The announcement was made as violence eased across Lebanon, despite some renewed street battles in the north.
Tensions were still high in the Chouf mountains overlooking Beirut after a day and night of fierce clashes that appeared to have left dozens of people dead.
New York Times News Service
All poultry in Seoul
killed to curb bird flu
SEOUL, South Korea – Officials said yesterday they have killed all poultry in Seoul to curb the spread of bird flu following a new outbreak of the disease in the capital.
Quarantine officials said they destroyed 15,000 chickens, ducks, pheasants and turkeys raised in farms, restaurants, schools and homes.
Associated Press
India rebel suspects
kill 8 railroad workers
GAUHATI, India – Suspected rebels lined up and fatally shot eight railroad workers in India's insurgency-wracked northeastern region of Assam, police said yesterday.
Sunday's attack in the village of Faiding came a day after the Indian army killed six rebels in a shootout, police Inspector-General Khagen Sharma said.
Associated Press
Nine in Philippines
coup plot pardoned
MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pardoned nine military officers who apologized after being convicted of a 2003 coup plot, saying yesterday that the Philippines yearns for stability – not “political shenanigans.”
Arroyo made the announcement during a nationally televised ceremony marking the oath-taking of new military chief Gen. Alexander Yano.
Associated Press
Bolivia leader agrees
to Aug. 10 recall vote
LA PAZ, Bolivia – President Evo Morales committed himself and Bolivia's nine governors yesterday to face recall votes on Aug. 10, gambling that his unfinished term will survive a referendum whose rules tilt in the populist leader's favor.
“Personally I have no fear of the people,” Morales said. “Let the people judge us.”
Associated Press
