Rebels won’t sign Darfur peace deal
Two of the three rebel groups battling in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region refused early today to sign a peace plan, possibly jeopardizing the accord aimed at resolving a crisis that has cost at least 180,000 lives.
Abdelwahid Muhamed El Nur of the main rebel Sudan Liberation Army walked out of the meeting with negotiators, saying: “We are not going to sign.”
The action came shortly after the leader of a smaller group issued a similar declaration, while a splinter rebel faction said it needed time to consult with colleagues in Sudan and would return later in the morning.
The decisions culminated days of intense talks that involved Sudan’s government, the African Union, rebels and envoys from the United States, the European Union and Britain.
San Salvador Atenco, Mexico
Police take control of rebellious town
Hundreds of law enforcement officials fired tear gas and crashed through human barricades to take control of a rebellious town outside Mexico City just before dawn Thursday, hours after protesters released six badly beaten police hostages.
President Vicente Fox condemned the violent uprising by residents of San Salvador Atenco, which erupted Wednesday when inhabitants attacked police in response to the arrest of several of their companions at a market in a nearby town. A teenager was killed in the melee and dozens of people were wounded – including 33 police, according to Mexican media.
Television broadcasts showed officers repeatedly beating protesters, including some who already had been taken into custody. Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission said it is investigating the violence.
Jerusalem
Olmert sworn in as prime minister
Ehud Olmert was formally sworn in as Israel’s prime minister Thursday with his new coalition government, winning parliamentary approval to pursue his goal of drawing Israel’s final borders by 2010.
In his first major policy speech to the new legislature, Olmert said Israel needs to shed isolated settlements in the West Bank but will keep major settlement blocs.
The parliament approved Olmert’s four-party coalition in a 65-49 vote of confidence, but Olmert said he hoped to expand his team – an effort to increase his backing ahead of a West Bank redeployment sure to evoke strident and possibly violent opposition from some Israelis.
“The continuation of scattered settlements throughout the West Bank creates an inseparable mix of populations that will threaten the existence of the state of Israel as a Jewish state,” Olmert said. “The borders of Israel that will be formed in the coming years will be significantly different from the territories that the state of Israel holds today.”