Middle Orient

AMARA, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraq’s government beefed up army and police units in the southern city of Amara on Sunday for a new crackdown on Shi’ite militias, a Reuters reporter said.

(Reuters) – Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana was killed by Israeli troops two months ago on Monday, while filming in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army says it is investigating but has yet to explain its actions. Following are key facts established by Reuters with the aid of independent British investigators:

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday refused to back down over his country’s nuclear program, stressing that Tehran may not give up even an iota of its rights.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian police and the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denied claims by Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran that a bomb was found at his residence.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Indonesia has asked Iran to reduce import duties on commodities such as crude palm oil, rubber, fiber and paper by 50 percent.

TEHRAN (FNA)- EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said in Brussels Wednesday that he hopes his forthcoming trip to Iran would restart the process for settling the Iranian nuclear issue.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The European Union postponed a decision on whether to remove an armed Iranian opposition group from its blacklist of terrorist organizations, diplomats said on Wednesday, ahead of a visit to Iran by its foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

TEHRAN (FNA)- US President Bush cannot find a hearty welcome in the streets of Rome during his upcoming visit to Italy, where anti-Bush sentiment over the war in Iraq still lingers.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki left Baghdad on Thursday for an official visit in Jordan.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said despite strong pressure from the US, Tehran is determined to maintain its ties with Syria.