World briefs 7/12/04

First democratic leader takes office in Serbia

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro -- Serbia's first pro-democracy president since World War II took office Sunday, vowing to bring stability to the Balkan republic and push it closer to the European Union and NATO. Boris Tadic, 46, leader of opposition Democratic Party, was elected in a June 27 runoff, defeating a hard-line nationalist ally of former President Slobodan Milosevic.

Sudanese refugees blocked outside Sicily

ROME -- Italian coast guard vessels Sunday blocked a ship carrying Sudanese refugees as it tried to dock in Sicily after sailing the Mediterranean for three weeks searching for a port of refuge. The captain of the Cap Anamur had called for help, saying the refugees were threatening to jump overboard and that he was heading toward land whether authorized or not, Italian television reported.

Explosion kills five in western Afghan city

HERAT, Afghanistan -- A bomb exploded on a bustling street of this western city Sunday, killing five people, injuring 29 and deepening concern over security two days after Afghanistan set a new date for its first free elections. Afghan leader Hamid Karzai blamed enemies of democracy for the blast, which occurred as U.N. and government officials watched a disarmament parade for militia soldiers across town. Herat police said they had arrested one suspect.

-- From wire reports