IN BRIEF (Page 12)

China

China to fight terrorism

China is firmly opposed to secessionism and terrorism and will work with other countries to crack down on terrorist organizations, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday. Beijing is confident of protecting the lives and property of people of all ethnicities, ensuring long-lasting peace and stability in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, she said.

Syria

Homs rebels resist army onslaught

Syrian troops pressed a fierce three-day assault against rebels in the central city of Homs on Monday but failed to make any new advances, a watchdog and activists said. Fighting between rebels and government loyalists raged on the edges of insurgent-held districts, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Iraq

Violence surges as rows persist

More than 2,500 people were killed in Iraq in the past three months, UN figures showed on Monday. The toll comes as the country grapples with months of protests by the Sunni Arab minority, tensions along a swathe of disputed territory in northern Iraq and a protracted political standoff that has left key pieces of legislation unresolved.

Mali

UN peacekeepers take over security

United Nations peacekeepers took over security duties from an African-led force in Mali on Monday with a mission to ensure stability in the conflict-scarred nation just four weeks ahead of planned elections. A 12,600-strong force officially replaced the AFISMA military mission, which has been supporting French soldiers who entered Mali in January.

Australia

Record number of women in Cabinet

Australia's new cabinet was sworn in Monday with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd naming a record number of six women and switching focus to the economy ahead of upcoming elections. With Labor trailing badly in the polls, Rudd took the leadership on Wednesday, ousting the country's first female prime minister Julia Gillard three years after she had overthrown him.

Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 07/02/2013 page12)