Cairo  - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit briefed his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini on Egypt's role as France's main partner in the Euro-Mediterranean union, an Egyptian spokesman said Thursday.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said that Thursday's talks, held during Frattini's visit to Cairo, focused on the most recent developments in the Middle East, particularly regarding the peace process.

Washington, Sep 18 : Faced with a surge in voter registrations leading up to US Presidential election on November 4, election officials across the country are bracing for long lines, equipment failures and confusion over polling procedures that could cost thousands the chance to cast a ballot.

The crush of voters will strain a system already in the midst of transformation, with jurisdictions introducing new machines and rules to avoid the catastrophe of the deadlocked 2000 election and the lingering controversy over the 2004 outcome.

Tel Aviv  - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert congratulated Tzipi Livni on her projected victory in Wednesday's primary for Israel's ruling Kadima party.

Olmert telephoned Livni, wished her success and promised his full cooperation with the 50-year-old foreign minister who is to succeed him as party leader, and as prime minister if she succeeds in forming a new coalition.

Gaza Cit

Brasilia  - Brazil is to provide "logistics" support to Bolivia, to dismantle armed groups in the northern province of Pando, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday.

Lula, however, made it clear that Brazil will not be sending troops to its Andean neighbour.

"Do not even think of a Brazilian interference in Bolivia, much less troops," Lula said in an exclusive interview with state television channel TV Brasil that was set to be aired later Wednesday.

Harare  - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's party "unanimously endorsed" this week's historic power-sharing agreement at meetings over the past two days, a spokesman said, quelling fears the party was about to back-track on the agreement.