UFA, Russia – A deal to bring Serbia into Russia’s South Stream gas pipeline project was a show of support for Belgrade over Kosovo, Dmitry Medvedev, the man likely to be elected Russia’s new president, said on Tuesday.

BAGHDAD – Gunmen seized 21 men from two buses at a fake checkpoint in Iraq’s restive Diyala province northeast of Baghdad on Tuesday, police said.

DUBAI – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Syria was part of the problem in Lebanon, calling on Damascus to help resolve the 15-month crisis before hosting an Arab summit next month.