Middle Orient

BAGHDAD (AP) — The US command announced it was sending 3,700 troops to Baghdad to try to quell sectarian violence sweeping the capital, and a US official said more American soldiers would follow as the military gears up to take the streets back from gunmen.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday his government has no intention of teaming up with Shiite group Hizbollah on negotiating the release of Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

HAIFA — Johnny Mansour drops his cigarette and rushes indoors. His wife, Lilian, and two sons, Elias, 14, and Adey, 10, are well ahead of him as the family rushes to the safe room of the house, which doubles as Adey’s bedroom.

KFAR ROUMAN, Lebanon —Blacksmith Mohammad Jouny, embittered by his government’s failure to come to the aid of south Lebanon, opposes the deployment of an international force along the border with Israel. He and his family want to see the Lebanese army there instead.

BEIRUT — The Mediterranean is threatened by its worst ever environmental disaster after Israel’s bombing of a power plant in Lebanon sent thousands of tonnes of fuel gushing into the sea, the environment minister charged on Saturday.

DUBAI — A male news anchor appeared on screen from the safety of Arabic station Al Jazeera’s studio in Doha as two female correspondents in full war gear reported live from both sides of the Lebanon-Israel frontline.

It’s a catchy slogan, but it appears the nation’s legal system is taking Microsoft’s cue. Sadly, the ill-fated recipient is yet another young Muslim man.

The Lebanese National resistance has forced the  “Israeli ” troops out of Massoud hill near Maroun al-Ras and the liberation triangle( Mothalath al-Tahrir) following fierce attacks on the military enemy machines gathering in this region, al-Manar TV said.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has rejected calls for tougher action in response to Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, in comments carried by the state-owned press on Wednesday. “Those who urge Egypt to go to war to defend Lebanon or Hezbollah are not aware that the time of exterior adventures is over,” …

BEIRUT – The continuing Israeli bombing of south Lebanon and south Beirut might just have strengthened the Hezbollah. The bombings appear particularly to have strengthened the hand of Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the charismatic Hezbollah leader.