World briefs 11/23/04

Iraq conference to back war on insurgents

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt -- Leaders meeting on Iraq's future plan to give strong backing to the interim government's war against insurgents, but won't set a deadline for withdrawing U.S.-led forces from Iraq -- despite a push by France and some Arab countries. Iraq asked Egypt to convene the conference that began Monday to bolster world support for its battle against insurgents and its plan to hold national elections.

Iran says it has halted enrichment programs

VIENNA, Austria -- Iran said Monday it has frozen all uranium enrichment programs -- a claim welcomed by Europe even as it weakened a U.S. push to refer Tehran's suspect nuclear activities to the U.N. Security Council. President Bush said he hoped the statement is true but "there must be verification." Even if verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency, such a freeze falls short of European and U.S. hopes of an Iranian commitment to scrap enrichment ambitions.

U.N. probes charges of sex abuse by peacekeepers

UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations is investigating 150 allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in Congo, a disturbing sign that efforts to rid the so-called "blue helmets" of such misconduct in recent years haven't worked, officials said Monday. The allegations include pedophelia, rape and soliciting prostitutes, said Jane Holl Lute, assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations. Several investigative teams have been deployed to Congo, including one that arrived Monday.

Aid workers evacuated as violence flares in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Helicopters rescued more than 40 aid workers who fled into the bush to escape fighting in Darfur on Monday as renewed violence flared in the crisis-plagued region of western Sudan. African Union peacekeepers airlifted 45 people who had spent several hours hiding in the bush outside the town of Tawilla during clashes between rebels and Arab militiamen, U.N. spokesman George Somerwill said.

-- From wire reports