US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta hosted Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak Thursday in their second Pentagon meeting in as many months as concern grows over Syrian unrest and Iran's nuclear ambitions.
At least 23 killed in the day's fighting; Russian draft resolution, which will likely be reconciled with an EU draft, makes no mention of outside air assets, is a rare contribution to the Security Council.
Kofi Annan's spokesman says more monitors will join team of seven currently observing fragile cease-fire; 10 Assad troops killed in roadside bomb near Golan border.
French FM Juppe calls for force of 500 observers to be sent with Annan mission in order to prevent a civil war; Annan spokesman says situation on the ground is "not good."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Congress should pass new oil-, banking-related sanctions to pressure Tehran to abandon its nuke program; Republicans, Democrats consider amendments to stalled sanctions bill.
After Israeli PM claimed that Iran was handed a 'freebie' at Istanbul talks, senior official says Netanyahu was fully briefed on strategy of six world powers; at next meeting, major powers to demand Iran suspend uranium enrichment at level of 20 percent at next meeting.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is on a three-day visit to Cyprus for talks with Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, Foreign Minister Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis.
Israel did not promise the United States that it would abstain from attacking Iran while negotiations are going on, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.
Several European airlines including Air France, Lufthansa and SN Brussels, canceled flight tickets to Tel Aviv of dozens of pro-Palestinian activists who were planning to arrive in Israel to participate to the so-called "Welcome to Palestine" campaign in the West Bank for the third year.
