Briefly

COMOROS

President recovering after knife attack

Comoros president Azali Assoumani is "out of danger" after he was injured in a knife attack by a 24-year-old police officer who was found dead in his cell a day later, officials said on Saturday. The attack occurred about 2 pm local time on Friday in Salimani Itsandra, a town just north of the capital Moroni. "The president is doing well. He has no health problems, he is out of danger. A few stitches were given," energy minister Aboubacar Said Anli said at a news conference in Moroni on Saturday. Azali was attacked as he attended a funeral, according to the presidency. The motive for the attack has not yet been determined.

HAITI

24 killed, 40 injured in gas truck blast

A fuel truck explosion on a road in Haiti's southern peninsula on Saturday killed 24 people and left half the 40 injured survivors with third-degree burns, the government said. Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the site, near the coastal city of Miragoane in the department of Nippes, and said some of the most seriously injured victims were evacuated by helicopter to receive specialized care. Ambulances were also being sent as quickly as possible to attend to others with severe burns and to relieve overcrowded local hospitals.

Agencies Via Xinhua