Middle Orient

GAZA (Reuters) – Israel closed border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in response to a cross-border rocket attack, but Palestinian officials said banks were able to bring in 68 million shekels ($19 million) to ease a cash shortage.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel will not allow the return of any Palestinian refugees as part of a future statehood deal, Olmert’s office said on Thursday.

DAMASCUS (Reuters) – Syria and Lebanon agreed on Thursday to resume work towards formally demarcating their borders but Damascus said the boundaries of the disputed Shebaa Farms would not be drawn until Israel withdrew from them.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Lebanon’s freed prisoner Samir Qantar announced that in case of any threats against Iran, his fighters will not leave the Iranian nation alone and help defend the country.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran has almost half the volume of reservoir storage compared to a year ago, Energy Ministry said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for a referendum to determine the future of the Palestinians and urged Western governments to end their support for Israel.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Turkey on Thursday for a two-day visit to the neighboring country for talks expected to focus on bilateral ties, including the enhancement of an energy partnership.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Bombs in four parts of northern Iraq killed at least six people on Wednesday, and Iraqi forces said they expected more attacks as they pursue Sunni Arab militants in the volatile north.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli forces shot and wounded an armed man who crossed from Syria into the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Wednesday, the army said. Violence along the Israeli-Syrian border is rare and the army said the incident was reported to United Nations forces in the area.

TRIPOLI, Lebanon (Reuters) – At least 15 people including nine soldiers were killed in Lebanon on Wednesday, according to security sources, in the deadliest attack on the army since a battle with al Qaeda-inspired militants last year.