The Palestinians have begun a diplomatic blitz aimed at persuading reticent leaders in the US and Europe to accept their new power-sharing deal and lift painful economic sanctions.

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels are to step up pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme. The 27 ministers have pledged to strictly implement United Nations sanctions against Teheran, something that was already basically agreed upon in January.

In Iraq, two German citizens have gone missing. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said shortly before a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels that the two Germans had been missing for one week.