Russia’s Ambassador to the EU has warned that the bloc will lose out by suspending long-delayed talks on a framework for new relations as retaliation for the military campaign in Georgia.

Europe has agreed to help rebuild war-devastated Georgia, but rebuilding relations with Russia may take longer. EU leaders decided to put new partnership talks with Moscow on hold if Russian troops are not withdrawn from Georgia soon. President Sarkozy will go to Moscow next week to reinforce Europe’s position.

An Israeli court has convicted two border guards over the unlawful killing of a Palestinian teenager in the West Bank town of Hebron in 2002.