September, 2008

• 16 September

  Hamas held secret leadership election, official says

  GAZA (Reuters) – Thousands of Hamas members voted in a secret internal ballot in the Gaza Strip that re-elected the Islamist group’s most prominent leaders to its highest bodies and signaled no change in policy.

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• 16 September

  Pro-al Qaeda gunman among 11 dead in Gaza clash

  GAZA (Reuters) – Eleven Palestinians including a pro-al Qaeda militant and a child were killed on Tuesday in overnight gun battles in the Gaza Strip, Hamas police officials said.

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• 16 September

  Odierno warning on Iraq security

  The new US military commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ray Odierno, has said that recent security gains there are “fragile and reversible”.

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• 16 September

  Lebanon factions launch dialogue

  Representatives of Lebanon’s many political factions are meeting to begin dialogue on the country’s future.

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• 16 September

  Eleven dead in fresh Gaza clashes

  Officials in the Gaza Strip say at least 11 people have been killed in a gun battle between Hamas security forces and a powerful local clan.

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• 16 September

  New crisis in Ukraine as coalition collapses

  Ukraine has been plunged into political crisis again following the collapse of the ruling coalition. The governing parties of President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko are pro-western but are deeply divided over other issues.  Tensions recently came to a head over the subject of presidential powers. 

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• 16 September

  Netherlands blocks Serbia-EU trade deal

  The Netherlands has prevented the EU from agreeing to extend new trade benefits to Serbia.The block comes despite a positive report from the chief UN war crimes prosecutor on Belgrade’s co-operation.

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• 16 September

  Petraeus gives up command of US troops in Iraq

  Outgoing General David Petraeus has handed over control of US military operations in Iraq at a ceremony in Baghdad. Petraeus is widely credited for security gains in Iraq after implementing a surge strategy backed by 30,000 extra US troops.

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• 16 September

  5 Ex-State Secretaries urge US-Iran talks

  Five former US Secretaries of State say the next American administration should hold direct and unconditional talks with Tehran.

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• 16 September

  Peres wants Iran oil income lowered

  Israeli President Shimon Peres has suggested targeting Iran’s main source of income as a means of lowering the country’s defensive force.

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