World briefs 12/9/04

Christians stone police to protest forced conversion

CAIRO, Egypt -- Several thousand Christians who packed a cathedral compound in the Egyptian capital hurled stones at riot police Wednesday to protest a woman's alleged forced conversion to Islam. At least 30 people were injured. The injured included 21 police officers. Some policemen were seen wiping blood from their heads in the streets outside the compound of the Coptic Orthodox cathedral in Cairo's Abbasiya district.

No more voting on governors in Russia

MOSCOW -- President Vladimir Putin's plan to end the election of governors by popular vote passed its final hurdle Wednesday, when the Russian parliament's upper chamber approved the bill. The law -- part of a package that has been assailed by opposition parties and human rights monitors as an attempt by the Kremlin to strengthen its authority at the expense of elected bodies -- would give the president the right to appoint governors, who would then be confirmed by regional legislatures.

Egyptian president works to revive peace process

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak engaged Persian Gulf leaders Wednesday in an effort to build momentum toward peace in the Middle East, calling for support of the new Palestinian leadership and talking up the prospects of an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Bahrain's king indicated he shared the new optimism about the peace process. Palestinian leaders also toured the region to drum up support.

Settlers ask to stay together after losing Gaza

JERUSALEM -- Residents of some Jewish settlements in the northern Gaza Strip have proposed that their entire communities be moved to locations inside Israel under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza next year, a lawmaker said Wednesday. A resident said the settlers want to remain together outside Gaza, a sign that a significant number of the 8,200 settlers slated for evacuation next year are resigned to leaving Gaza, despite vocal opposition by settler leaders. Some have quietly formed committees to negotiate their exit.

Police, street peddlers clash in Caracas

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Police and National Guard troops fired tear gas and plastic bullets at crowds of angry street vendors in Venezuela's capital Wednesday as officers tried to remove merchants from zones where they are barred from selling their wares. The violence injured 25 people, including one police officer, said deputy fire chief William Martinez. Twelve of them were injured by gunshots. Vendors threw rocks at police, tore down traffic signs and set fire to piles of garbage. Others blocked streets with barricades of concrete rubble and scrap metal.

First day of Hanukkah marked in Jerusalem

MODIIN, Israel -- Israelis celebrated the first day of the festival of Hanukkah on Wednesday, praying at the gravesides of the Jewish heroes the holiday honors, lighting candles and eating traditional deep fried foods. In Jerusalem, Hanukkah got a bright facelift this year. At the entrance to the city, workers set up a huge menorah, a candelabrum for the holiday, said to be the biggest in the world. Thousands of motorists entering the city had their way lighted by the 72-foot menorah with 1,800 light bulbs -- a project to promote a charity for needy children.

-- From wire reports