World briefs 10/13/04

Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable missile

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan said Tuesday that it has successfully test-fired a medium-range, nuclear-capable missile that could hit many cities in neighboring India, but defense officials said it was not intended as a message to the rival country. India was informed beforehand about the test of the Ghauri V missile, which has a range of 930 miles. The launch, at an undisclosed location, was witnessed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, an army statement said.

Palestinian security chief escapes bombing unhurt

JERUSALEM -- A top Palestinian security leader who is a relative of Yasser Arafat escaped unharmed on Tuesday when a booby-trapped car exploded near his convoy in Gaza City. The blast came as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tried to cobble together a governing team to carry out his plan to withdraw from Gaza next year. The bomb rocked Gaza City after nightfall, as Moussa Arafat's convoy was leaving his headquarters. Arafat, a relative of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, was not hurt, security officials said. As the convoy sped off, Moussa Arafat's bodyguards fired submachine guns in the air. Security officials said none of the bodyguards were hurt. Israel's military denied involvement.

Gadhafi: Libya turning back on Middle East

TRIPOLI, Libya -- The son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi proposed a new plan for general reforms in which he said his country will move away from the Middle East and reduce spending on the military. "Libya has decided to separate from the so-called Middle East," Seif al-Islam Gadhafi said at the opening session of a Tripoli conference for business leaders from Western countries. Gadhafi said he is proposing a new reform plan that will include major cuts in military expenditure.

Violence leaves 46 dead in Haiti's capital

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Violence in Haiti's capital has claimed at least 46 lives, with hospital records showing Tuesday that 17 victims were killed this week. The United States accused supporters of an ousted president of trying to destabilize the interim government. Port-au-Prince has been beset by gunbattles and beheadings since a Sept. 30 demonstration marking the 1991 coup that first overthrew President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. In February, the former priest fled the country again after a three-week revolt led by a street gang and former soldiers.

-- From wire reports