BEIRUT — A month after a UN resolution halted fighting between Israel and Hizbollah, the ceasefire appeared strong Thursday with Israeli troops continuing to withdraw from south Lebanon and UN peacekeepers fanning out across the war-ravaged region.

RAMALLAH — No mobile phones, no international calls, no fuel coupons and no “excessive” hospitality for senior employees. Hamas is tightening the purse strings.

WASHINGTON — If there ever was a question that the Bush administration and the Israeli government are of one mind on Mideast peacemaking and Iran’s nuclear programmes it is fading during talks Israel’s foreign minister is holding here.