OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — With Israel’s blessing, Egypt has delivered a large arms shipment to forces loyal to the embattled Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, officials said Thursday, in the latest Israeli attempt to boost Abbas in his bloody conflict with Hamas.

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — In a gesture to Syria, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday said he is open to “any murmur of peace” from Israel’s enemies. Syria has recently signalled that it would like to reopen peace talks with Israel, which broke down seven years ago.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Iraqi officials backed away on Thursday from suggestions they would hang Saddam Hussein within a month, amid speculation the government is divided over whether to execute the ousted leader quickly.