PERSIAN GULF

LAWMAKERS MAY BLOCK INSPECTIONS IF IRAN REFERRED TO COUNCIL

TEHRAN, Iran – Raising the stakes before a key vote by the U.N. nuclear agency, lawmakers approved a bill yesterday requiring the government to block inspections of atomic facilities if the agency refers Iran to the Security Council for possible sanctions. The bill was favored by 183 of the 197 lawmakers present. The session was broadcast live on state-run radio four days before the International Atomic Energy Agency board was to consider referring Tehran to the Security Council for violating a nuclear arms control treaty. The council could impose sanctions.

If the bill becomes law, it likely will strengthen the government’s hand in resisting international pressure to abandon permanently uranium enrichment. The bill now will go to the Guardian Council, a hard-line constitutional watchdog, for ratfication. The council is expected to approve the measure. Canceling voluntary measures means Iran would stop allowing in-depth IAEA inspections of its nuclear facilities and would resume uranium enrichment. Iran has been allowing short-notice inspections of those facilities.

– Associated Press

NORTH AFRICA

VIOLENCE MARS EGYPTIAN ELECTIONS

DAMANHUR, Egypt – Widespread violence marred the second round of Egypt’s parliamentary vote yesterday as opposition supporters and police clashed with knives, metal chains, and Molotov cocktails, officials said. At least one person was killed.

There are 1,706 candidates competing in 72 constituencies in this round of elections. Late yesterday, the Muslim Brotherhood said its count showed most of its 60 candidates had either won seats or gained sufficient votes to participate in runoff balloting Saturday. No figures were available for candidates of the ruling National Democratic Party or non-Islamic opposition contestants.

– Associated Press

MOROCCO ARRESTS 17 IN DISMANTLED TERROR NETWORK

RABAT, Morocco – Moroccan police have dismantled a terrorist network, arresting 17 people, the official MAP news agency reported yesterday. At least some of the suspects were linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq. Brahim Benchekroun and Mohammed Mazouz – among five Moroccans freed from the American base in Guantanamo, Cuba in August 2004 – were among the suspects.

– Associated Press

EAST AFRICA

SOMALI PIRATES RELEASE HIJACKED OIL TANKER

NAIROBI, Kenya – Somali pirates have released an oil tanker that they hijacked a month ago on its way to South Africa from the United Arab Emirates, a maritime official said yesterday. The MT San Carlo is now on its way to South Africa, the head of the Kenyan chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Program Andrew Mwangura, said. It was not immediately clear whether a ransom was paid for the release of the Malta-registered vessel and its crew of 24, Mr. Mwangura said.

– Associated Press

SOUTHERN AFRICA

MUGABE: ZIMBABWE WILL PROCESS URANIUM

HARARE, Zimbabwe – President Mugabe said Zimbabwe will turn to nuclear power by processing recently discovered uranium deposits to resolve its chronic electricity shortage, state radio said yesterday. Mr. Mugabe, who has close ties with two countries with nuclear programs – Iran and North Korea – spoke of his intention Saturday, the radio station reported. It was not clear how Mr. Mugabe intended to use any uranium deposits since the country does not have a nuclear power plant.

– Associated Press

EAST ASIA

BUSH TONES DOWN ATTACK ON WAR CRITICS

BEIJING – President Bush toned down his attack on war critics yesterday and said there was nothing unpatriotic about opposing his strategy. “People should feel comfortable about expressing their opinions about Iraq,” Mr. Bush said. The president also praised Rep. John Murtha, a Democrat of Pennsylvania, as “a fine man” and a strong supporter of the military despite the congressman’s call for troop withdrawal as soon as possible.

Mr. Bush brought up Iraq when he met reporters after inconclusive talks with President Hu about America-China relations. Mr. Bush ran stiff resistance from the Chinese to his call for expanding religious freedom and human rights. He also reported no breakthroughs toward reducing China’s massive trade surplus or protecting intellectual property rights.

– Associated Press

SOUTH ASIA

PILGRIMS FLOCK TO NEPAL TO SEE BOY BUDDHA

BARA DISTRICT, Nepal – Thousands of pilgrims are pouring into southern Nepal to worship a 15-year-old boy who has been hailed as a new Buddha. Devotees claim that Ram Bomjon, who is meditating beneath a tree, has not eaten or drunk anything in six months. Photographs of Ram Bomjon have become ubiquitous across the region. The chief government official in Bara district, Santa Raj Subedi, appealed to the capital, Kathmandu, for assistance in dealing with the influx of visitors, and for a team of scientists to examine the case.

– The Daily Telegraph