IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Central African Republic

President flees rebel attack

Central African Republic's President Francois Bozize fled the capital early on Sunday, hours after hundreds of armed rebels threatening to overthrow him invaded the city, an adviser said. The rebel alliance, known as Seleka, reached the outskirts of Bangui late on Saturday.

Thailand

36 die in fire at refugee camp

A fire swept through a remote camp in northwestern Thailand for refugees from Myanmar, killing 36 and destroying hundreds of makeshift shelters, officials said on Sunday. The fire, which broke out on Friday in Mae Hong Son province, about 900 km north of Bangkok, has left more than 2,000 people homeless, provincial governor Narumol Palavat said.

Pakistan

Suicide car bomb kills 17

A car packed with explosives exploded next to a pair of fuel tankers at an army check post in northwestern Pakistan, killing 17 soldiers and wounding dozens, officials said on Sunday. The attack on Saturday night occurred in the North Waziristan tribal area, the main sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida militants.

Afghanistan

US to hand over military jail

The United States has reached an agreement on a deal that will see Bagram military prison handed over to Afghan authorities next week, the Pentagon announced on Saturday. The accord to transfer total responsibility for the facility was reached following discussions between US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The Philippines

Australian freed after ransom paid

The family of an Australian held hostage for 15 months in the southern Philippines paid Islamic militants almost $100,000 in ransom money, a negotiator said, after Warren Rodwell waded to freedom. Al Rashid Sakalahul, vice-governor of the strife-torn island province of Basilan, said late on Saturday he had negotiated Rodwell's release with a feared leader of an extremist group.

Iraq

Kerry presses for Syria help

US Secretary of State John Kerry pressed for Iraq's help over the conflict in Syria during a surprise trip to Baghdad on Sunday amid claims of waning US clout barely a year after US troops left. The one-day visit was the first to Iraq by a US secretary of state since April 2009.

AP-Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 03/25/2013 page12)