Islamic Jihad says leader killed in raid

Israeli troops killed a leader of Islamic Jihad in a West Bank raid Saturday, the group said.

Islamic Jihad said the leader of its militant wing in Nablus, Hani Awijan, 29, was killed by Israeli undercover troops. They came to arrest him as he played soccer with friends and relatives, the group said. Another Islamic Jihad member was also killed.

The army confirmed that soldiers operated in Nablus and said a militant was killed in an exchange of fire.

Israel Radio said Awijan was responsible for a series of attacks on Israelis. Over the past 17 months, Islamic Jihad has been responsible for all 12 suicide bombing attacks in Israel, killing 71 people.

Islamic Jihad announced Awijan’s death from mosque loudspeakers, and large crowds gathered as news of the raid spread through Nablus. Militants burned tires in the streets and called for a general strike in the city. Shops were quickly closed.

SEOUL, South Korea

Flooding delays ‘mass games’

North Korea has canceled a massive propaganda event because of floods that devastated the country this month, a North Korean diplomat said Saturday.

The event known as the “mass games” features thousands of synchronized gymnasts and performers in a stadium where the stands are turned into a giant animated mosaic by children flipping pages of multicolored books.

Han Song Ryol, deputy chief of North Korea’s mission to the United Nations in New York, said by telephone that the event, which had been set for next month, “has been canceled due to flood damages.”

He didn’t elaborate or say whether the spectacle would be rescheduled.

Heavy mid-July rains killed at least 154 North Koreans and left at least 127 others missing, the United Nations said this week. North Korea’s official media has said the disaster caused “hundreds” of casualties and that roads, bridges, railroads and communications had been cut off.

BAIDOA, Somalia

Prime minister points a finger

Somalia’s prime minister charged Saturday that Egypt, Libya and Iran are arming the Islamic militants who challenge his rule, lengthening the list of countries accused of fueling this country’s political chaos.

Premier Mohammed Ali Gedi and the militants have been trading allegations that Ethiopia – Somalia’s traditional rival – is backing the prime minister and Eritrea – Ethiopia’s enemy – is helping the militants.

“Egypt, Libya and Iran, who we thought were friends, are engaged in fueling the conflict in Somalia by supporting the terrorists,” Gedi said. He cited unnamed sources in his government and offered no proof.

The leader of the Islamic militia, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, denied receiving support from foreign countries and said Gedi was “trying to distract attention from his own troubles.”

Egypt’s foreign ministry denied claims Cairo was helping the militants, saying it supports peace and stability in Somalia.

Somalia has had no real government since 1991, when its longtime leader was overthrown.The interim government was established nearly two years ago with the support of the U.N. but has failed to assert any power outside its base in Baidoa, 155 miles from the capital, Mogadishu.