Syrian rights group says military operations against anti-government protesters in a central region have killed five people.

Prominent French Muslim leaders meet with Noam Shalit in Paris; last week, Noam Shalit thanked 11 American Muslim leaders for sending letter to Hamas calling for release of Gilad Shalit.

Alain Juppe singles out Russia for preventing the imposition of harsher sanctions against Assad regime, due to Kremlin's unwillingness to approve them in United Nations Security Council.

Roland Dumas, long-time opponent of Sarkozy, visits Libya will goal of 'unmasking assassins' behind the NATO air strikes.

The former IMF chief pays tribute to his wife, family and friends, denying allegations of sexual assault, saying he wishes to devote all his 'strength, time, energy' to proving his innocence

Dominique Strauss-Kahn continues to deny allegations he assaulted a 32-year-old maid in a New York hotel, saying he wishes to devote all his 'strength, time and energy' to proving his innocence.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a potential candidate for French presidency, was arrested at JFK airport after allegedly assaulting a maid in his $3,000-a-night suite at a Times Square hotel.

The U.S. pledge came after France and Britain said they would send military advisers to help the rebels improve their organization and communications.

Allies have stopped short of explicitly endorsing NATO political leadership of the mission, which they fear could be a hard sell for NATO member Turkey and undercut shaky Arab support.

France launches first attack on Gadhafi forces near rebel stronghold Benghazi hours after world leaders agree to force Gadhafi to respect UN resolution demanding a cease-fire.

Both United States and France strengthen ties with opponents of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi; Libya cuts diplomatic ties with France.

Cristophe Bigot attributed the year-over-year drop to a sharp rise in 2009 in the wake of Operation Cast Lead.

Under French law, making anti-Semitic remarks can be punishable by up to six months in prison; Galliano vigorously denies allegations of making anti-Semitic insult at Paris bar.

Demonstrators say infuriated over comments by Michele Alliot-Marie in support of Gilad Shalit; member of Alliot-Marie's entourage hit in the head.

While in Jerusalem, Michele Alliot-Marie is expected to meet with the parents of the Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier that has been held captive in Gaza since 2006; Shalit is a French citizen.