- Partial withdrawal precedes arrival in Damascus of UN envoy Terje Larsen with ultimatum for Assad: Failing complete pullout from Lebanon, UN secretary Annan will call Security Council session in April to approve sanctions.
- Saudi Arabia leads major Arab governments in secret notice to Syrian ruler invalidating 1989 Taif Accord. Assad claims 1989 Taif Accord is mandate for Syrian presence in Lebanon.
- Syrian Kurds poised for massive demonstrations backed by US and Iraqi Kurds to mark first anniversary of their "Kamishli uprising." More Syrian opposition factions expected to join protest.
- Mofaz after talks with Mubarak in Sharm: Israel will withdraw from Philadelphi border route of Gaza Strip after Egypt stops Palestinian arms smuggling from Sinai.
- Withdrawal will be final step of Israel's disengagement from Gaza Strip and 750 Egyptian troops will police border More bilateral military-level consultations scheduled before military protocol is signed.
- Israel and visiting US troops Thursday began month-long war game Juniper Cobra to test Israel's Arrow II missile-killer with US Patriot batteries.
- US spokeswoman said no connection with any event in region, but Israeli security sources said Iran's most advanced Shahab-3 missile would be treated as main "threat." Some independent experts doubt whether Arrow would be reliable against Shahab-3 salvo
- Funerals begin in Mosul for 50 killed in Thursday's suicide bombing attack on mourning tent at Shiite mosque. Eighty more injured. Several children missing.
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