FRANCE blazed a diplomatic trail as it recognised a newly formed Libyan opposition group, drawing the ire of other European nations for stepping out on its own even as the situation in Libya remained unclear.

Former prime minister Tony Blair makes his first appearance as Mideast envoy in Portugal today, with international diplomats gathering to discuss ways to breath life into long-stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

A news magazine reported today that Portugal’s foreign minister withheld information from European Parliament officials investigating alleged CIA flights in Europe while he was defence minister.