Briefly

QATAR

Afghan delegation to meet Taliban in Doha

An Afghan government delegation is going to Doha to make "initial contacts" with the Taliban, a senior official said on Thursday, days before the signing of a historic deal in Qatar to withdraw US troops. The accord would see thousands of US troops withdrawn from Afghanistan after more than 18 years, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Kabul government. Representatives of the Kabul government will be conspicuously absent from Saturday's signing ceremony, which as many as 30 nation are expected to attend. While the Taliban want all US forces out, the Pentagon insists thousands must remain in Afghanistan to tackle extremist groups.

MALAYSIA

Plan for parliament vote rejected

Malaysia's political uncertainty grew on Friday after the speaker of Parliament said he had rejected a request from interim leader Mahathir Mohamad for a special session next week to choose a new prime minister. Mahathir, who plunged the Southeast Asian nation into turmoil this week by resigning as prime minister, had said on Thursday that the king had asked for the vote to pick his successor. Parliament Speaker Mohamad Ariff Bin Md Yusof said he had received a letter from Mahathir requesting a special session on Monday, but it would not happen without an order from the king. A spokesman for Mahathir did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

INDIA

Tensions high in Delhi after days of violence

Tensions remained high in India's capital on Thursday, as thousands of riot police and paramilitaries patrolled streets littered with the debris from days of sectarian riots that have killed 38 people. An uneasy calm has descended over the affected northeast fringes of the Indian capital, punctuated by sporadic outbreaks of violence overnight. The unrest was the latest bout of violence over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial citizenship law, which triggered months of demonstrations that turned deadly in December. Police said they had detained or arrested more than 500 suspects for questioning.

JAPAN

Lebanon visit aims for Ghosn's return

Hiroyuki Yoshiie, Japan's vice-minister of justice will visit Lebanon this weekend to try to make the case that fugitive ex-Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn should stand trial in Japan. The former leader of the Renault-Nissan alliance made a sensational yearend escape from Japan, where he faces trial for financial crimes. He denies the charges. Ghosn said he fled to his childhood home of Lebanon to clear his name. Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with Japan.