SARAJEVO (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive commission said on Friday that a decision by the Bosnian Serb authority to withdraw from the state power transmitter may hurt Bosnia’s bid for EU integration.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to pursue peace talks with Ehud Olmert until the scandal-hit Israeli prime minister’s last day in office, and with whoever succeeds him, an Israeli newspaper said on Friday.

TEL AVIV, Israel (Reuters) – The European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Friday he was “less and less optimistic” that Israel and the Palestinians would meet a U.S. goal of a peace deal this year but he urged both sides to keep up momentum in 2009.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said peace talks with Israel have failed to reach any breakthrough, despite nine months of negotiations.

The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said that he will never declare victory there.

Saudi Arabian police say they have arrested five men on charges of using the internet to recruit for al-Qaeda.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Experts say a free trade agreement between the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran would benefit both sides as it would open PGCC markets for Iranian products and vice versa.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari told a group of reporters in Ankara on Wednesday that his country and Turkey have plans to continue deliberations on reaching an energy agreement.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Heavy rains led to flash floods that killed at least 19 people and injured four others in southwestern Iran.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Many high ranking financial and political delegations are on their way to Tehran to secure the future of energy supplies to Europe.