Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson conceded defeat in parliamentary elections today.

FRENCH and American diplomats last night said they were getting closer to a common UN resolution for stopping the fighting in Lebanon.

French and American diplomats were getting closer to a common UN resolution for stopping the fighting in Lebanon, France’s foreign minister said today, but emphasised there was still progress to be made.

The UN summit marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations opened today with an appeal for collective action to prevent conflict and genocide and to protect human rights.

Tony Blair’s European colleagues mixed hearty election victory congratulations with birthday greetings today as the British Prime Minister celebrated winning an historic third term, while Asian and South Pacific leaders lauded him for overcoming opposition to the war in Iraq.