MARJAYOUN (AFP) — “God bless them, they are coming to protect us,” said south Lebanon resident Mohammed as government troops proudly waving national flags took up position in the Hizbollah stronghold in the first such operation in decades.

Envoy says Israeli soldier could be exchanged for 600 Palestinian prisoners PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday armed groups had agreed to stop firing rockets into Israel from Gaza, but fighters said such a move would be dependent on Israel halting its offensive.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Car bombs killed 10 people in Baghdad on Thursday as violence persisted in the capital despite the US-led security crackdown. Two more American soldiers were killed in combat, the US command said.