BEIRUT (Reuters) — UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Monday he would appoint a secret negotiator to mediate between Israel and Hizbollah for the release of two Israeli soldiers captured in July. But Israeli officials said Annan’s role was to secure the release of the soldiers demanded by a …

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — The United States and Iraq hope to sign an agreement by next week to hand operational command of Iraq’s new army to Prime Minister Nuri Maliki, Iraq said on Monday, after wrangles on wording had held up the accord.

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert backed away Monday from the unilateral West Bank pullback plan that swept him to power in March, saying that Israel needs to pursue talks with the Palestinians.