The head of the Libyan rebel armed forces was shot and killed just before arriving for questioning by rebel authorities, their political leader said in a carefully worded statement to reporters that gave few details on who was behind the killing.

LEBANON’S Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, one of Shi’ite Islam’s main religious figures who had a strong following world over, died yesterday after a long illness.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended remarks on Islam and jihad made by the Pope during his trip to Germany, saying they have “misunderstood” the Pontiff’s message.

Lebanon’s most senior Shiite Muslim cleric denounced the Pope’s recent remarks about Muslim holy war as Egypt warned that the Pope’s comments could incite violence between Muslims and Christians.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended remarks on Islam and jihad made by Pope Benedict XVI during his trip to Germany, saying they have “misunderstood” the pontiff’s message.