Brussels - The five political parties which made up Belgian's last two governments have agreed to renew their coalition, the man tasked with forming the next administration said Monday.
After talks with the leaders of the parties which made up the last government, Dutch-speaking conservative Herman van Rompuy, 61, told local media that the quintet had agreed in principle to continue their former coalition, though the details remained to be finalized.
Budapest - The head of Hungary's ad hoc parliamentary committee on the Nabucco gas pipeline said on Monday that no more time should be wasted in setting up of an international advocacy body to push for political commitment to the project.
The Nabucco gas pipeline project, favoured by the EU and the US, aims to reduce Europe's reliance on Russian gas by bringing in alternative supplies from the Caspian Sea region.
Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday issued a decree appointing General Mohammad Rakkad as new head of the General Intelligence Department (GID), one of the country's most influential posts, according to a royal court statement.
Rakkad replaced General Mohammad Dahabi, who resigned his post earlier in the day, a royal court statement said.
Dahabi came to the limelight over the past couple of months after leading a Jordanian team to a series of meetings with member of Hamas' politburo Mohammad Nazal, who is based in Damascus.
Conakry, Guinea - The African Union Monday suspended Guinea on Monday for its military coup but held off on instituting sanctions.
Following a meeting of its Peace and Security Council, the continent-wide body said that Guinea would remain suspended until it restored constitutional rule and could face sanctions if the coup leaders hold onto power.
Junior military officer Captain Moussa Dadi Camara seized power on Tuesday hours after the death of President Lansana Conte.
Mogadishu - Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned amid an internal power struggle Monday after failing to bring peace to the Horn of Africa nation, which has been wracked by conflict for the past 17 years.
"Today I resign the post that you elected me to on October 14, 2004," Yusuf told lawmakers in Baidoa, the seat of the Somali parliament.
"I stated at that time that there were three options ... I will overcome the crises, continue the post until my death or resign if I can't continue."
Conakry, Guinea - Guinea's new military junta has fired 22 senior military officials as it moves to strengthen its position, reports said Monday.
The BBC reported that the coup leaders on Sunday issued a statement saying the generals had reached retirement age.
The statement added that the generals would be appointed to senior positions at a later date.
Junior military officer Captain Moussa Dadi Camara seized power on Tuesday hours after the death of President Lansana Conte.
The coup has been widely condemned internationally, although Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade on Friday urged foreign governments to back the new leaders.
Brussels - The five political parties which made up Belgian's last two governments have agreed to renew their coalition, the man tasked with forming the next administration said Monday. 
Budapest - The head of Hungary's ad hoc parliamentary committee on the Nabucco gas pipeline said on Monday that no more time should be wasted in setting up of an international advocacy body to push for political commitment to the project. 
Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday issued a decree appointing General Mohammad Rakkad as new head of the General Intelligence Department (GID), one of the country's most influential posts, according to a royal court statement. 
Conakry, Guinea - The African Union Monday suspended Guinea on Monday for its military coup but held off on instituting sanctions. 
Mogadishu - Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned amid an internal power struggle Monday after failing to bring peace to the Horn of Africa nation, which has been wracked by conflict for the past 17 years. 
