DUBAI – Iraq is inching toward attracting the billions of dollars needed to revamp its oil sector but international oil companies are still not ready to commit the massive sums required.

Iraq currently produces only a fraction of its vast reserves, the third-largest in the world and among the cheapest to produce, and international oil firms have been positioning for years to gain access.

The attack, a day after more than 100 people were killed in the deadliest suspected suicide raid since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001, comes as some Western politicians call for a stronger resolve to stop Afghanistan sliding back into anarchy.

BRUSSELS – Spain, grappling with its own separatist movements, said on Monday it would not recognize the secession of the ethnic Albanian territory of Kosovo from Serbia.

BRUSSELS – The European Union must end internal divisions over Russia and act together to strengthen its hand in talks on energy and other issues, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote in an article published on Monday.

BELGRADE – Serbia charged Kosovo’s Albanian leadership with treason on Monday for proclaiming the province independent.

BAKU – Ex-Soviet Azerbaijan said on Monday it did not recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

HANOI – Vietnam, a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, said on Monday it opposed Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia.

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has not agreed to postpone talks on the future of Jerusalem, a senior adviser said on Monday, disputing comments by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Monday Israel would soon be destroyed by the “hands of Hezbollah”, the Lebanese group which is backed by the Islamic Republic, Fars News Agency reported.