13 JULY 2008

Diplomatic affairs

Representatives from over 40 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, including Israel and Arab states, meeting in Paris, issued a declaration launching a 'Union for the Mediterranean'. The declaration said members would "pursue a mutually and effectively verifiable Middle East Zone free of weapons of mass destruction" including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and their delivery systems, and would "consider practical steps to prevent the proliferation" of such weapons. (AP)

Afghanistan

A suicide bombing in Tarin Kowt killed at least 21 people. (CNN.com)

12 JULY 2008

Asia and the Pacific, diplomatic affairs

The latest round of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program ended with the North reportedly agreeing to complete dismantling of its Yongbyon nuclear facility by the end of October in return for the completion of energy assistance to North Korea by the US and other countries at the same time. (CNN.com)

Afghanistan

British members of ISAF killed Mullah Bismullah Akhund in the Now Zad district of Helmand province. The British Defense Ministry announced Bismullah's death on the 17th and called him "a senior key facilitator and logistician responsible for the northern Helmand region". (CNN.com)

10-11 JULY 2008

Middle East and North Africa, diplomatic affairs

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Iraq and reached agreements with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on a range of issues including military cooperation. (CNN.com)

7 JULY 2008

Afghanistan

A suicide bombing in central Kabul, near the Indian embassy, killed at least 41 people and wounded another 139. (CNN.com)