LEADERS of the rival Hamas and Fatah groups headed for Saudi Arabia today for talks aimed at ending factional warfare and forming a unity government that could end a crippling Western embargo.

 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided Tuesday to appoint Professor Daniel Friedman, winner of the 1991 Israel Prize for achievements in the field of law, to replace MK Haim Ramon as Israel’s new justice minister, Israel Radio reported.

The United States has no military plans against Iran and Washington agrees to cooperate with Moscow on bringing Iran back to negotiations, the Russian foreign minister said Saturday.