DIPLOMACY: Pakistan and the United States show their willingness to restore confidence

AFP - U.S. Senator John Kerry, appointed by President Barack Obama, and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad said Monday that both countries wanted to restore mutual confidence after the crisis resulting from the elimination of Osama bin Laden .

"We are strategic partners with a common enemy," said U.S. Senator John Kerry.

After assuring that the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would announce "soon" a visit to Islamabad, Mr.Kerry said he had "explained" to the heads of the Pakistani army and state and government, he was "here with the support of President Barack Obama (...) to rebuild confidence between (our) two countries. "

The Democratic chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, is the first senior U.S. official to visit Pakistan since a helicopter-borne U.S. commandos killed the leader of al-Qaida May 2 in Abbottabad, a city-garrison two hours drive north of Islamabad.

This attack, "illegal" according to Islamabad, caused a stir at a population overwhelmingly anti-American, not for the death of bin Laden, who has raised little protest, but for the "violation of sovereignty" Pakistan.

For their part, officials and prominent U.S. lawmakers have accused Pakistani authorities of incompetence at best, complicity at worst after learning that the leader of al-Qaeda had been hiding for years in a city- garrison, more so near the capital of Pakistan, its key ally in its "war against terrorism."

In a statement, Mr Gilani followed the lead of Mr.Kerry, "stressing the need for mutual trust, mutual interest and respect the sovereignty of Pakistan to strengthen the national consensus on the war against terrorism in order to finally achieve our common goal of defeating the forces of terror. "

"Pakistan is involved in the full solution to ensure lasting peace in the region and it is the strong interest of Pakistan and the United States to rebuild trust between their governments and institutions," concluded chief of the Pakistani government.

The CIA, which conducted the commando operation on 2 May, said she had not warned the Pakistani authorities for fear of leakage.U.S. officials have since reported suspicion of "complicity" in the military and intelligence community to explain the presence of brain attacks of Sept. 11 in a city housing more than 10,000 soldiers.

For its part, Pakistan, protesting feebly since 2004 against the very frequent firing missiles CIA drones targeting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the tribal areas of northwest, bordering Afghanistan, has raised its voice after the raid against bin Laden. He threatened to Washington to review its policy of cooperation on counterterrorism if such an incursion happened again.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Resumption of border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia after a short truce

Reuters - Clashes erupted again Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the border, after almost 24 hours of the truce in fighting that killed at least 12 deaths since Friday.

Gunfire and explosions were heard near two twelfth-century Hindu temples, which, since Friday, was the scene of the bloody border conflict between the two countries in almost 20 years, witnesses said.The fighting forced the evacuation of nearly 50,000 area residents to temporary shelters.

Thailand reiterated its call for direct talks with Cambodia, after canceling a visit to both countries foreign minister of Indonesia, Marty Natalegawa, whose country is the current chairman of Asean (Association Nations of the South-East).On 22 February, the Minister was able to obtain a cease-fire.

The truce called for the dispatch of Indonesian military observers along the disputed border, which never materialized.

Thailand has refused so far the presence of international observers, but his foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, who spoke to reporters Monday in a nursing home, did not rule out that they can finally future unfold.

"We're not hostile.It is a sensitive issue, "he told a press briefing, about thirty miles from the theater.

Thailand wants the dispute resolved bilaterally, through a joint commission that has failed over the past decade, to clearly demarcate the border.

Dispute since the independence of Cambodia

Large border areas are not clearly delineated and can be challenged by either party.This territorial dispute is the most violent two decades between the two neighbors.

The fighting that broke out Friday near the two temples were preceded in February by four days of fighting that had killed 11 people around a temple, Preah Vihear, located 150 km to the east.

Since independence from the former French protectorate in 1953, Cambodia and Thailand dispute jungle Dangrek mountains and three Hindu temples - Preah Vihear, Ta Moan and Ta Krabey.

The most intense fighting of recent days have taken place around the site of Ta Moan.Both armies are also positioned around Ta Krabey, where the first clashes took place Friday and where Thailand accuses Cambodia to install military bases.

Since Friday, five Thai soldiers were killed and 31 others injured, Thai officials say.The official Cambodian side is seven dead and 17 wounded.

Several analysts said the two capitals have each political reasons for starting the conflict.

Thai generals close to the ultra-nationalist circles could attempt to create an environment conducive to a coup to prevent the organization of elections due by July.

The Cambodian government could stimulate the nationalistic fervor to rise in public opinion, proving that his army is able to stand up to the longtime rival.

LIBYA: NATO called to take command of the military intervention

AFP - The international coalition has stepped up pressure Thursday on Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, with new air strikes, when the NATO countries were an agreement to take over military command of operations.

According to a preliminary assessment submitted by a spokesman for the Libyan regime, the raids of the coalition were "about 100 deaths" among civilians since the offensive began March 19.

For its part, the military commander of the coalition, General Carter Ham, said he did not "make sure there were no civilian casualties"."But we're very, very precise and selective in our targets," he said.

The Libyan authorities have indicated they expect raids on centers of telecommunications and broadcasting services in the evening, based on "intelligence information".

In the morning, France had said that the coalition would "continue the air strikes" on military targets, "the time".

On Thursday, a plane of the Libyan forces was destroyed on the ground by a French fighter plane in Misrata (200 km east of Tripoli), said the staff of the armies in Paris.

The coalition has also targeted the region Tajoura, about thirty miles east of Tripoli, according to residents.State television confirmed that "civilians and military sites" of this region had been the target of raids.

In Tripoli, the firing of air defense and several loud explosions were heard Thursday morning and evening, according to an AFP journalist.

The DCA went into action from 1900 GMT and at least one explosion was heard from the center of Tripoli.Two explosions were heard also in Tajoura (30 km from the capital), where a column of smoke coming from a site undetermined.

State television later reported that "civilian and military sites in Tripoli and Tajoura" were targets of "long-range missiles."

The coalition had conducted the night of Wednesday to Thursday of intensive air raids Sabha (750 km south of Tripoli), according to residents.The city, stronghold of the tribe of Gaddafi, is home to several military sites.

Fighting between pro-and anti-Gaddafi also continued in several cities, including Misrata.

The loyalist forces have killed 109 people and injured more than 1,300 since the start of their offensive last Friday, told AFP a doctor.

Snipers were firing on pro-Qaddafi in the afternoon from the roofs of buildings and gunfire rang out, said a spokesman for the rebels.

The coalition strikes were conducted Wednesday against Gaddafi's troops on the ground including Misrata third largest city.

Nearly Ajdabiya, 160 km south of Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in the east, a large number of insurgents were advancing quickly to regain control of this key city, according to an AFP journalist.Fighting was taking place within the city between rebels and pro-Gaddafi.

According to a spokesman for the insurgents in Benghazi, Ahmed Omar Bani, some pro-Gaddafi to Ajdabiya are "ready to go" and the insurgents communicate with them through religious leaders in mosques.

After negotiations with forceps, the NATO countries have reached an agreement in principle to take over military command of operations, replacing the coalition led by France, Great Britain and the United States.

NATO was currently charged with monitoring the embargo on arms sales to Libya.

"The NATO countries agree to start (the process) that will allow him to take over from the coalition on Monday or Tuesday," said one diplomat told AFP.

However, all details remained unresolved. Because Turkey is unhappy with the operating rules prescribed for the no-fly zone, to avoid stressing the bombing against ground targets, according to another diplomat.

Many Western countries insisted that NATO take over completely. But France, fearful of alienating Arab opinion, and anxious to keep a room for strikes without having to always seek the endorsement of NATO countries, has long been very reserved.

According to Paris, the "political leadership" of the intervention will remain outside NATO.It will be ensured by a "contact group" of countries participating in separate transactions, including the Arab League and African Union (AU).

The first meeting of this group is scheduled for Tuesday in London, attended by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"More than 350 aircraft" in the coalition are involved in air operations, including just over half are American, said a senior Pentagon official, who said the United States called the Libyan military to "stop to fight "against their own countrymen, and not to obey the orders of Colonel Gaddafi.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon lamented his side that the Libyan authorities had taken no steps to fulfill their obligations under the resolution adopted by the Security Council, arguing that violations of human rights, man continued.

The AU called on Friday in Addis Ababa, representatives of Muammar Gaddafi and the rebels to discuss a cease-fire.

Colonel Gaddafi, in power for 42 years, faces from 15 February to a revolt that has left hundreds dead and forced more than 300,000 people to flee.

Here are liveblogging the events of Thursday, March 24 provided by the editors.

FOOTBALL: The French international Eric Abidal will be operated on a liver tumor Thursday

The operation of the French international defender for FC Barcelona, ​​Eric Abidal, a liver tumor was advanced to Thursday instead of Friday, announced Wednesday, the Catalan club stressing that this change was not related to a worsening state of the player.

"A liver tumor was detected in the player of FC Barcelona Eric Abidal," had indicated as early as Tuesday evening Barça in a brief statement on its website.

Eric Abidal, 31, will undergo surgery Friday in a hospital in Barcelona by Dr. Josep Fuster Obregón, the club said."At the request of the player, the club requires the greatest respect for the right to privacy," Barca concluded in its statement.

Season over

Holder indisputable FC Barcelona, ​​the French defender should draw a line on the end of the season, took the Spanish sports press. Usually aligned left, Eric Abidal has often been called this season to play in central defense, particularly to compensate for the absence of the Spaniard Carles Puyol, long wounded.His performance in this position, Wednesday, March 8, against Arsenal in the second round back in the Champions League (3-1 win and qualification of Barcelona) was noticed.

The former Lyon defender, who arrived at FC Barcelona for the 2007-2008 season, also had to regain his place in the France team after the sinking of the Blues in South Africa in 2010.

"I want to finish my career at Barca," he declared in late January. "We are seeing what the club can offer me," added the defender, whose current contract runs until June 30, 2012. "I feel very comfortable here and I hope to stay. Everything is going well for me," Bush said.

LIBYA: Police fire on protesters in Tripoli

Forces loyal to the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi opened fire in broad daylight on protesters Friday in Tripoli after the announcement by the opposition of "liberation" of Eastern countries, the international community to stop hurrying bloodshed.

The 11th day of the bloody revolt against the tottering power of M.Gaddafi has accused his opponents of being guided by Al Qaeda, the initiatives are increasing: UN meeting, proposals for sanctions, embargo and establishing a no-fly zone.

The challenge extends west from Tripoli to Benghazi, 1000 km east of the capital, in cities or close to the coastal shores of the Mediterranean, the vast majority of the country, 93% desert, being spared by the fighting.

But while the eastern oil is in the hands of organized armed opposition to a possible step toward Tripoli, Gadhafi pro-government forces fired on protesters in eastern districts of the capital, causing casualties, according to witnesses reached by telephone.

"The police opened fire on protesters without distinction. There are dead in the streets of Soug Al Jomaa," said one resident told AFP.

Other witnesses of suburban neighborhoods, like Ben Achour and Fachloum, reported "heavy fire upon all who are in the street."Similar scenes take place Ghout Achaal in the west of the city.

"They fired on unarmed civilians leaving the prayer," he told AFP capita residential qartier Ben Achour.

The police had deployed around several mosques to prevent demonstrations, witnesses said.

Hundreds of people Tajoura, a neighborhood in Tripoli, protesting against the regime, according to witnesses.

Proponents of the "Guide" in power for over 40 years are concentrated in Tripoli, where the militia would have Khamis than 9,000 fighters, tanks and aircraft, according to unconfirmed reports.

Sign that power seeks to stem the wave of protest, the official Libyan television announced an $ 400 Libyan families, and the 150% increase of salaries of certain officials.

At Tobruk in the east, an event attended by a thousand people. The protesters waved flags of the Libyan monarchy of King Idris Sanusi who has become a symbol of the insurgency. "Free Libya, Gaddafi outside," "The people want the fall of the regime," they have launched.

Musratha third largest city, about 150 km east of Tripoli, was deserted by loyalists to Mr.Gaddafi, but clashes took place on an air base nearby that have caused many deaths, "said one resident told AFP.

Heavy fighting murderers had opposed these days Musratha supporters of the regime "supported by African mercenaries" and protesters, according to several witnesses.

To the west of Tripoli, in the city of Zawiyah (60 km), "terrorists" have murdered several soldiers, according to state news agency Jana, while the newspaper based in Benghazi Libya Quryna 23 people were killed in the assault by security forces against the city.

That the inhabitants of this town spoke Thursday Mr.Gaddafi charged that AA in an audio message on television, Al Qaeda orchestrating the insurgency by giving his view of "hallucinogenic pills" to opponents.

Two days earlier he had vowed to suppress the insurgency, warning of possible "butcher".The violence has already caused several hundred deaths, from 300 to a thousand different sources.

Abroad, the outrage is growing against his regime, increasingly isolated after being abandoned by his peers and several relatives and Arab diplomats, including ambassadors to Libya and UNESCO Paris, and al-Gaddafi -Dam, close adviser and cousin of Colonel Gaddafi.

Paris and London have proposed to the Security Council of the United Nations which meets at 20:00 GMT in New York a draft resolution calling for "a total embargo on arms," "sanctions," and "referral to the ICC for crimes against humanity, "the French foreign minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

The countries of the European Union and NATO are preparing also to establish a no-fly zone to prohibit Libya Libyan military planes to fly, if the UN gives green light, according to a diplomat.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay expressed concern over "brutal and shocking situation."

Faced with the chaos in Libya, evacuations in difficult conditions by land, sea and air continues, several European countries, foremost among them Italy concerned about a humanitarian crisis due to the exodus of tens of thousands foreigners and Libyans.

The World Food Programme UN has warned that the food supply chain in Libya "was in danger of collapse."Food imports can no longer in ports and distribution is compromised because of the violence.

Libya: Benghazi "the rebellious" at the forefront of the anti-Gaddafi sling

In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, 38 people were injured in the town of Benghazi, Libya, after clashes between demonstrators and security forces. While today have multiplied rallies across the country for a "Day of Wrath, this early revolt of the country's second city has all of a symbol.

Hassan Al-Jahmi, a thirty originating from Benghazi, was exiled in Switzerland for nearly ten years.He is the author of the call to rally on 17 February, it launched through the creation of a Facebook page which has over 20,000 members.

For him, "the rebellious Benghazi" is the heart of the protest movement: "Benghazi is not only rebellious against Gaddafi. It is a city that traditionally has opposed and whose people have always demanded greater freedom of speech and opinion. When Italy had his hand on the country until 1943, the first voices were raised against colonization came from Benghazi. "

The singularity of Benghazi has emerged through a combination of several factors. "This is the most cosmopolitan city in the country.Here are found the people who come from all over Libya. This combination alone explains the uniqueness of the city. Benghazi Libya made significant contributions to the cultural: Actors, singers, writers.People here like to express themselves, "he develops.

Disastrous legacy of the massacre of prisoners in Abu Slim

For Hasni Abdi, director of the Center for Study and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM) located in Geneva, other variables, more recent, have made the capital of Benghazi opposition to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

This is particularly the massacre of prisoners in Abu Slim says political scientist: "The stability of Libya through good management of tribal elements that make up the population of Benghazi sociology. The regime has stepped up the blunders, including in the 1200 murder of prisoners in the prison of Abu Slim in 1996.The authorities have removed many representatives of these tribes, they have never officially acknowledged. But the fact that many of these people are from Benghazi has reinforced the city in his sling against traditional power. "

According to Human Rights Watch, most victims of the shooting originated in Benghazi. This event, which reflects the preferential treatment which the city and its inhabitants are subjected by the government, is not isolated. Economically too, Benghazi has regularly been ignored by the regime: "Benghazi was excluded from all major political and economic progress of countries, including incomes from the oil windfall, contrary or in Sirte Tripoli.A hospital in Benghazi like field hospitals, transport are poorly developed. Against this background of perpetual humiliation that have forged the main opposition movements. Benghazi has been set aside by the Libyan regime as it was perceived as the city that had defied Gaddafi. "

And the events of Wednesday have burned a little more in the marble image that cultivates Benghazi: that of a rebellious city, a bastion of anti-Gaddafi sling.

UNITED KINGDOM: The request for extradition of Julian Assange investigated by British justice

AFP - Julian Assange appear Monday and Tuesday before a British court that will consider its request for extradition to Sweden, while the documents confidential police throwing a harsh light on the rape charges for the founder of Wikileaks have been published.

The Australian, 39, on probation since December 16, gained international notoriety with the release since late November on its website Wikileaks, hundreds of secret diplomatic telegrams that have angered several countries, led by the United States .

He has always denied the charges of rape and sexual assault against him, saying they were part of a smear campaign to discredit her work and make it stop.

When he appears Monday, several celebrities, including Jemima Khan, Columbia, fashion muse and ambassador for UNICEF (United Nations Fund for Children), London to attend a rally in support of the founder of Wikileaks.

The judge's decision, which must rule on the extradition of Mr. Assange, will be important, but probably not decisive, the Australian having many opportunities to appeal. The judicial process could ultimately take several months.

The Swedish authorities want to question Mr. Assange under investigation for alleged sexual assault and rape, opened after a complaint by two women.

Confidential police reports on the survey just published on the internet.If they do not bring new elements to the lawyers for Mr. Assange, who had already in hand, they cast a harsh light on the facts alleged against him.

According to one of these documents, one of the women who filed a complaint against Australian tells in great detail, initiated a sexual relationship, she says, by Mr. Assange while she slept and that he would have refused to wear a condom.

Covered by an international arrest warrant issued by the Swedish court, Mr.Assange was arrested in Britain on Dec. 7, before being placed on parole nine days later.

He has lived under house arrest in a friend's posh property, located 200 km north-east London, is subject to a curfew, is an electronic bracelet and must register every day with the police.

These conditions have been relaxed for Sunday and Monday to allow him to reside in London for hearings.

Lawyers for Mr.Assange oppose his extradition to Sweden, arguing in particular that there is a risk that their client is then sent to the United States, where they believe he could be sentenced to death.

The U.S. federal court has opened an investigation against the founder of Wikileaks, which, in addition to U.S. diplomatic telegrams, published last year reports of the U.S. military on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. She did not however formally charged, and therefore did not request his extradition.

In early February, Mr. Assange asked the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to repatriate. "Julia Gillard should take active steps to protect ourselves and my repatriation (Wikileaks).She should contact the U.S. Embassy to tell them to stop, "said Mr Assange, who said he was eager to return home.

DENMARK: The perpetrator of a cartoonist Muhammad found guilty of terrorism

The Somali Geele Mohamed was found guilty of attempted "terrorism" and murder against the Danish Mohammed cartoonist Kurt Westergaard said Thursday the judge of the court in Aarhus.

"The Court finds that a murder attempt at his home on January 1, 2010 against Kurt Westergaard, a man who personifies the cartoons of Muhammad should be seen as an attempt to frighten the population and a high degree of destabilization structures of society, "said the magistrate Ingrid Thorsboe.

This verdict has been "made unanimously by the jury," she said.

The sentence of up to life imprisonment must be imposed Friday.

In the evening of 1 January 2010, Mohamed Geele now aged 29, had burst into the home of the draftsman in Viby, near Aarhus, armed with a hatchet and a knife, shouting that he wanted to kill him because he had insulted the Prophet and Muslims.

Kurt Westergaard, 75, had taken refuge in a bathroom safe, forcing the attacker to give up his project before being shot by the police arrived on the scene.