United Nations - The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process today condemned recent violence in the area and stressed that an end to the crisis will require both political progress and efforts to improve conditions facing the Palestinians. Saudi authorities have executed two foreign nationals each charged with murdering two people. Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is accusing the Palestinian Authority of seeking to increase violence by smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip. Cairo - Cuban President Fidel Castro is in Tehran for his first visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Observers say Mr. Castro's visit is aimed at increasing cooperation between two countries both hit by a United States economic embargo.
Pakistani officials say they are already struggling to care for two million refugees.
The Israeli authorities in occupied Jerusalem are planning to build a new Jewish quarter consisting of 300 homes in the Arab eastern part of the city, a senior Palestinian offical said on Monday. Tehran - The deadline for the registration of presidential hopefuls has passed and 817 people from all walks of life have been nominated and are now waiting for the decision of the Guardian Council regarding their qualifications. Tehran - Cuban Leader Fidel Castro began his historic visit to Iran yesterday aimed at increasing cooperation between two nations. Castro, making his first trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran, is to hold talks with the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Seyed Mohammad Khatami and former President Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani. Tehran - The death toll of the Sari Soccer Stadium tragedy rose to two yesterday when another spectator succumbed to his injuries, Chancellor of the Provincial Medical University Abdullah Madani said in Sari yesterday.