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Egypt Protesters Press for Israel Envoy Ouster

Some 200 people protested Friday in front of the Israeli embassy in Egypt's capital demanding the ambassador's expulsion, after five Egyptian policemen were killed along the border with Israel last week.

We want "blood for blood" said one of the demonstrators, Mahmoud Ibrahim, who said he was a brother of one of the dead policemen. "We want revenge, we do not want compensation ... We want them to be punished."

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NATO Bombs Gadhafi Hometown, Rebels Poised to Attack

British warplanes bombed a bunker in Moammar Gadhafi’s birthplace of Sirte as rebel fighters prepared Friday to launch an offensive on the town, one of the last major regime holdouts east of Tripoli.

As insurgent leaders moved into Tripoli to begin a political transition, the African Union called for that process to be "inclusive."

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At Least 6 Dead as Tens of Thousands Flood Syria Streets

Security sources killed six people when they opened fire on demonstrations across Syria on the last Friday of Ramadan, as tens of thousands of protesters flooded the country’s streets vowing to bring down President Bashar al-Assad’s regime despite deadly crackdowns.

Protesters took to the streets in response to calls by The Syrian Revolution 2011 Facebook group which urged rallies under the banner of "Friday of patience and determination."

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Iran Says Palestine Statehood 'Step Forward' for Full Liberation

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Friday that the potential recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Nations should only be a "step forward" for the "full liberation" of Palestine.

His strong remarks calling for Israel's "disappearance" came as tens of thousands marched in the capital at a "Quds Day" rally, an annual regime-sanctioned demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians and against Israel, according to footage aired on state television.

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Qatar Emir Tells Syria Force is 'Fruitless,' Urges Serious Reforms

The emir of Qatar criticized Syria for using force against protesters demanding democratic change, describing the approach as fruitless and urging serious reforms, QNA state news agency said Friday.

"All of us, who stood by Syria in its difficult times, have tried to encourage our brothers in Syria to make real reforms," said Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who was on a visit to Iran.

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Palestinians Say China Will Back Statehood Bid

China has said it will vote in favor of Palestinian statehood when the matter is presented to the U.N. Security Council next month, the official Palestinian news agency said on Friday.

A message to that effect from Chinese President Hu Jintao was delivered to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Thursday, WAFA said.

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Syria Seeking Cartoonist's Attackers

Syrian police are hunting for the attackers who broke the hand of the country's leading political cartoonist, the official SANA news agency said Friday, after Washington condemned the attack.

"The competent authorities at the Interior Ministry are seeking the culprits in order to bring them to justice," the agency said.

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Iranians March on 'Quds Day', Chant 'Death to Israel'

Tens of thousands of people marched in Tehran on Friday at the "Quds Day" rally, an annual regime-sanctioned demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians and against Israel, according to footage aired on state television.

The television showed large crowds in major cities, carrying banners of "Death to Israel" and "Death to America."

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Cola, Cookies, Tuna in Hidden Tunnels under Gadhafi Compound

Beneath the grassy courtyard of Moammar Gadhafi's private compound, long tunnels connect bunkers, command centers and spiral staircases that lead to a luxurious home filled with Gadhafi family photos.

The electric lights are out and the banks of telephones have gone dead.

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Clinton Calls for Democratic 'New Libya'

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday pledged support for a "new Libya," urging triumphant rebels to turn the page on Moammar Gadhafi's rule and build a secure, democratic state.

She also called on the rebels to guard weapons stockpiles and take a hard line against "extremism," as the United Nations began releasing $1.5 billion in Libyan assets earmarked for U.N. programs, food and basic services.

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