Seven foreigners abducted in northern Nigeria

Gunmen in Nigeria have kidnapped seven foreigners and killed a security guard when they stormed the compound of Lebanese construction company Setraco in the northern Bauchi.

Police said that among those abducted were a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers, police officials told Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris on Sunday.

Idris, reporting from the Nigerian capital of Abuja, said security forces were on high alert to locate the hostages after they were kidnapped in Jama'are town.

Bauchi Police Chief Mohammed Ladan said gunmen attacked a police station and a prison overnight before storming the construction firm's compound.

"We repelled the attack on police station and the security men at the prison yard also repelled the attack, but they burnt two vehicles in Jama'are police station," Ladan said.

"They then attacked Setraco construction, killed a local security guard and they succeeded in kidnapping people."

The Italian foreign ministry confirmed one of its nationals was taken in the raid. A spokesman for the British Embassy in Abuja said it was investigating.

Foreigners, frequently abducted by armed groups and criminal gangs for ransom in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta, have become increasingly targeted in the country's north as the violence has grown.

In December, al-Qaeda aligned group Ansaru group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a French national who remains missing.

Meanwhile, in May, gunmen in Kaduna state shot and killed a Lebanese and a Nigerian construction worker, while kidnapping another Lebanese employee.

Later that month, kidnappers shot a German hostage dead during a rescue operation.

Gunmen, who authorities say have links to Boko Haram armed group, kidnapped an Italian and a British man last year in northern Kebbi State who were later killed during a rescue operation by Nigerian soldiers backed up by British special forces. The group later denied taking part in that abduction.

Setraco Nigeria, a construction and civil engineering company, is a subsidiary of Setraco International Holding group.

The Nigerian company, which was established in 1977, is currently working on expanding a major road in the north of the country.

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Libyans mark second revolt anniversary

Security forces are on high alert across Libya as the country marks two years since the start of the revolt that toppled Muammar Gaddafi after four decades of authoritarian rule.

The anniversary of the uprising that ended with Gaddafi’s killing in October 2011 comes as Libya's new rulers battle critics calling for a "new revolution" and accusing them of failing to usher in much-needed reforms.

It also comes a day after security officials said they had arrested four foreigners in Benghazi on suspicion of being Christian missionaries and printing books about Christianity.

On Friday, thousands of people gathered in the main cities of Tripoli and Benghazi to celebrate the initial February 15, 2011 protest that ignited the revolt two days later.

There is no official programme for Sunday's anniversary, but the authorities have taken steps aimed at preventing any violence on a day when spontaneous celebrations are expected.

Libya's borders with Egypt and Tunisia were closed from Thursday for four days, and all international flights have been suspended except at the airports of Tripoli and second city Benghazi - the cradle of the "February 17 revolution".

Checkpoints across Tripoli

Ali Zeidan, the country’s prime minister, said the measures were taken to avoid "any bid to undermine Libya's security and disrupt celebrations marking the anniversary of the revolution".

Checkpoints have also been set up across Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Opposition groups are demanding that former Gaddafi regime officials be barred from holding public office, and a leaflet circulated in Tripoli calls for a "popular revolt" and civil disobedience to bring down the current regime.
It is unclear who is behind the leaflet and the calls for protests, but Libyan officials and several organisations, including Islamic groups, accuse remnants of the former regime of fomenting protests to "sow disorder and instability".
The authorities have said special permits will be needed for "peaceful protests", and have threatened force against anyone who tries to derail anniversary festivities.
Residents of Benghazi - which has been hit by violence targeting international agencies and diplomatic missions - have set up neighbourhood watches.
The city was rocked on September 11 last year by an assault on the US consulate there that killed US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
Despite Libya holding its first free elections in July last year, analysts say the country is not yet politically mature after four decades of dictatorship under Gaddafi.

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Deadly blast hits Mogadishu eatery

A car bomb detonated by remote control has killed two people and wounded two others in Somalia's capital, according to police sources.

Mohamed Hassan, a local police officer, said Saturday's explosion took place in the parking area of a popular beachfront restaurant in the Lido area of Mogadishu frequented by Somali officials and city residents.

The restaurant called Lido Seafood was opened last year following the removal of al-Qaeda-linked fighters from Mogadishu.

Hassan said the blast also destroyed cars.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab fighters have launched a series of guerrilla-style attacks in Mogadishu in recent months.

The fighters have vowed to topple newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who took office in September after being chosen by the country's new parliament.

But the once powerful al-Shabab are on the back foot inside Somalia, having fled a string of key towns ahead of a 17,000-strong African Union (AU) force, which is also fighting alongside Somali soldiers.

Ethiopian troops are also battling al-Shabab fighters in the southwest of Somalia.

On Thursday, AU troops and government forces seized the towns of Janalle, Aw Dhigle and Barire, some 80km southwest of the capital Mogadishu, the latest Shebab bases to fall.

However, the al-Shabab remain a potent threat, still controlling rural areas as well as carrying out guerrilla attacks in areas apparently under government control.

Some, retreating before AU-led assaults, have relocated to the northern Golis mountains in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region.

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Jesse Jackson Jr charged with misusing campaign funds

A former congressman and son of a prominent civil rights leader has been charged with spending campaign funds on personal expenses.

Jesse Jackson Jr of Illinois is accused of misusing $750,000 (£483,000).

He and his wife Sandi Jackson, who is charged with tax fraud in the matter, intend to plead guilty, media report.

Mr Jackson, a 47-year-old Democrat, resigned in November after acknowledging he was being treated for bipolar disorder.

"I offer no excuses for my conduct and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made," Mr Jackson said in a statement.

Mr Jackson is charged in federal court in Washington DC with conspiracy, fraud, and making false statements. Prosecutors say Mrs Jackson filed false tax forms that underreported how much tax the couple owed.

Watches and fur capes

Mr Jackson "unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated and agreed" to commit offences against the US,prosecutors wrote in court documents.

Prosecutors say that between 2007 and 2009 Mr Jackson used funds donated to his re-election campaign to buy a gold-plated Rolex watch worth $43,350, fur capes and parkas worth $5,150, and about $9,588 in children's furniture.

He is also accused of failing to report $28,500 in gifts and loans to the House of Representatives, where he has served since 1995.

Mr Jackson, son of Chicago civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison; his wife faces up to three years, according to federal sentencing guidelines.

But Mrs Jackson's lawyer said her plea deal "does not contemplate a sentence of that length".

Other penalties against Mr Jackson could include a fine of up to $250,000, US media report. In addition, authorities may try to seize more than $60,000 in memorabilia and furs linked to the alleged fraud.

Mr Jackson has also been under investigation by the House ethics committee over his dealings with imprisoned ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of trying to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's former US Senate seat and other corruption charges.

Mr Jackson resigned from office on 21 November, just weeks after winning re-election.

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Oscar Pistorius denies Reeva Steenkamp South Africa murder

South African Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius has strongly rejected a charge that he murdered his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, was shot dead at Mr Pistorius's home near Pretoria on Thursday.

Appearing in court in Pretoria, Mr Pistorius wept as prosecutors vowed to pursue a charge of premeditated murder.

An application for bail was postponed until next Tuesday and the athlete will remain in police custody.

Dubbed "blade runner", he made history last summer by becoming the first double-amputee track athlete to run in an Olympic Games.

"The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms", said a statement released by Mr Pistorius's family and management company after the court hearing.

"Our thoughts and prayers today should be for Reeva and her family - regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy," it said.

They were the first words released on behalf of the 26-year-old athlete since Ms Steenkamp was found fatally wounded at his home in the gated Silver Woods development outside the South African capital.

But they gave no explanation of what had happened.

'Traumatised'

Hours earlier, Mr Pistorius sobbed audibly during his initial appearance at Pretoria Magistrates Court.

Dozens of reporters witnessed the hearing, where chief magistrate Desmond Nair was presiding.

The BBC's Andrew Harding, who was there, said the defendant cut a lonely figure in a crowded court, with his hands clenched and his neck muscles twitching, before he held his head forward, breathing heavily through tears.

When Prosecutor Gerrie Nel argued for the graver charge of "premeditated murder", Mr Pistorius slumped forward at the mention of the words.

If convicted of premeditated murder, the athlete will face a life term in prison. But his defence is seeking a lesser charge, possibly culpable homicide, which is defined in South African law as unlawful, negligent killing.

Media access was discussed at the 40-minute session and the magistrate ruled that there should be no live recording of the bail hearings.

Mr Pistorius's team had argued against such coverage and cited his "extremely traumatised state of mind".

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Uhuru Kenyatta free to run after Kenya election ruling

Kenya's deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta - accused of crimes against humanity - can stand in next month's election, after a court declined to bar him.

The High Court refused to rule in a case brought by campaign groups seeking to exclude him from the 4 March poll.

Mr Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are seen as the favourites.

Mr Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto deny the charges brought against them in The Hague.

They are due to go on trial in April at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the violence that followed disputed elections in 2007.

Centre stage

"The High Court lacks jurisdiction to deal with a question relating to the election of a president," the panel of five judges said in a statement read to a crowded courtroom.

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“Start Quote

I have repeatedly said that my main competitor should have the opportunity to face me in a free and fair election, whose outcome is determined by the people of Kenya”

Raila OdingaPrime Minister

"This is an issue that is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court," the judges said.

The BBC's Will Ross in the capital, Nairobi, says Mr Kenyatta's supporters celebrated in the streets after the ruling was announced.

Correspondents say it is not immediately clear if any application would be made to move the case to the higher court.

Edgar Kavu-Lavu from the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) - one of the civil society groups to bring the case to court - says they won't appeal as there is not enough time before the elections are held.

The ICC case against four Kenyans - including Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto - is taking centre stage in the elections and was an issue that featured prominently in the first presidential debate last week between the eight leading candidates for the post.

Mr Kenyatta was forced to fend off claims of impunity during the debate and was put on the spot by the moderators and his presidential challengers who demanded to know why he would not pull out of the race to concentrate on his case at The Hague.

Both he and Mr Ruto have been indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity emanating from the violence that killed more than 1,000 people and forced about 300,000 people from their homes after the disputed election that was won by President Mwai Kibaki, who is now stepping down after two terms.

Mr Odinga said he welcomed the High Court ruling.

"I have repeatedly said that my main competitor should have the opportunity to face me in a free and fair election, whose outcome is determined by the people of Kenya," he said.

Mr Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's founding president, faces five charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, persecution, deportation and other inhumane acts.

Mr Ruto faces three charges of crimes against humanity.

Mr Kenyatta insisted during the debate that he and his running mate were innocent and would defend themselves vigorously.

The case would not prevent him from discharging his presidential duties, if he was elected, he said.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission, the Kenyan branch of the ICJ, and the International Centre for Policy and Conflict have all argued that any person committed to trial at the ICC would not be able to carry out their duties of running the country properly.

They say that the honour and integrity of the public office would be damaged.

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Nigerian singer Susan 'Goldie' Harvey dies in Lagos

Nigerian pop singer Susan Oluwabimpe "Goldie", Harvey, has died after a sudden illness, her manager says.

Her record label said Miss Harvey, 31, had complained of a severe headache shortly after returning to Nigeria from the US where she had attended the music industry's Grammy Awards.

The star was rushed to a hospital in Lagos, where she was pronounced dead.

Goldie had won several industry awards and appeared in last year's celebrity Big Brother Africa TV show.

BBC Africa producer Fidelis Mbah says the programme stirred controversy with some Nigerians who said she did not portray the country's culture in a positive light as she came across as too Western.

Others criticised the musician for her on-off romance with a fellow housemate, the Kenyan rapper Prezzo - but she remained hugely popular with young audiences, he says.

A message posted on her Facebook page on Thursday evening said: "It is with heavy heart that I have to inform you all that Goldie passed this night shortly after arriving Lagos from LA. May her soul rest in the eternal peace of the Lord - Admin."

Kenny Ogungbe, the head of her music label, Kennis Music, said she had "an abundance of talent" and it was a "gloomy moment" for Nigeria's music industry.

She was also enjoying popularity across Africa, he said in a statement.

Her three latest singles from a forthcoming album, African Invasion, were "presently enjoying heavy rotations on radio and TV stations across the continent", Mr Ogungbe said.

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Drogba ponders uncertain future

With dreams of a national title dashed in loss to Nigeria, Ivory Coast striker's international career in doubt.

Les Elephants were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Nigeria in the Rustenburg quarter-final, ending Drogba's unsuccessful quest for a title with his national side [AFP]

Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba is unsure of his international future after a shock weekend exit from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations his country were favoured to win.

Drogba, the 34-year-old former Chelsea striker playing in the African football showcase for the last time, was well policed as Nigeria won the quarter-final 2-1 in north-western mining town Rustenburg.

Ivory Coast have been favourites for five consecutive Africa Cup tournaments, but the closest they came was finishing runners-up to 2006 hosts Egypt and 2012 surprise side Zambia.

After this string of failures, there has been widespread media speculation about the futures of 'golden oldies' like Drogba, goalkeeper Boubacar Barry and centre-backs Kolo Toure and Didier Zokora.

Uncertain future

"It is over," was the terse response of Drogba to reporters when asked about the Africa Cup of Nations.

In the 2012 final in Gabon, Drogba he blazed over a regular-time penalty, allowing Zambia to force a 0-0 draw after extra time.

But despite Drogba making amends by converting a shootout spot-kick, Zambia won 8-7 on penalties for one of the most stunning Africa Cup final shocks.

"We must now look ahead to the 2014 World Cup qualifying competition - with or without me," added the striker, who recently signed an 18-month contract with leading Turkish club Galatasaray.

The shattered Ivory Coast stars prepared to head home Monday and turn their attention to the 2014 World Cup qualifying competition, starting with a home fixture against lightweights Gambia late March.

They visit Gambia and Tanzania during June and host Morocco in September and the group winners advance to a two-leg play-off for one of five African places at the World Cup in Brazil.

Ivory Coast started their campaign last year with a routine 2-0 home victory over Tanzania followed by a 2-2 draw in Morocco, giving them a one-point Group C lead.

Coach Sabri Lamouchi took Drogba off against Togo in the opening game, axed him for the second group match against Tunisia, recalled him into a virtual reserve team that faced Algeria, and chose him to start against Nigeria.

He had only one scoring chance against the Super Eagles, controlling a cross with his chest and the shot was deflected wide with the Algerian referee ignoring legitimate appeals for a corner.

Drogba has been playing for Shanghai Shenhua in the China Super League, which finished last November, leaving the Ivory Coast captain short of match practice before the Africa Cup of Nations.

Les Elephants were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Nigeria in the Rustenburg quarter-final, ending Drogba's unsuccessful quest for a title with his national side [AFP]

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Burkina Faso down Togo

Burkina Faso needed extra time to secure a 1-0 victory over fellow outsiders Togo to reach Africa Cup of Nations semis.

Pitroipa headed in the winner in the last seconds of the first half of extra time to seal the game on the sandy Nelspruit pitch [AFP]

Pitroipa headed in the winner in the last seconds of the first half of extra time to seal the game on the sandy Nelspruit pitch [AFP]

Burkina Faso qualified for the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Sunday by pipping Togo 1-0 after extra time.

The Stallions face four-time champions Ghana in Nelspruit on Wednesday while two-time title-holders Nigeria tackle Mali in the other semi-final in Durban.

Burkina Faso broke the deadlock through the lively Jonathan Pitroipa on 105 minutes when he nodded a corner beyond surprised goalkeeper Kossi Agassa and into the net.

Pitroipa's winner was just reward for Burkina Faso's more offensive approach, especially in extra time after 90 drab minutes at Mbombela Stadium in this north-eastern city.

The Stallions, whose only other last-four appearance came 15 years ago when they staged the competition, seem to find extra strength as the game wore on while the Sparrow Hawks tired.

Stalemate

Semi-Finals

Wednesday 6 February At Durban Mali v Nigeria At Nelspruit Burkina Faso v Ghana

Togo enjoyed more possession, but could not translate it into goals.

The first half belonged to Togo, who created the better chances.

Burkina Faso took the game to their opponents and after just four minutes Kofi Mohamed attempted to surprise the Togo goalkeeper with a shot from distance, but Agassa collected easily.

Floyd Ayite wasted a good chance for the Togolese when he scuffed his shot inside the box after good work by Serge Gakpe.

The Stallions had a chance in the 29th minute, but skipper Moumouni Dagano left Togo off the hook when he chose to control the ball inside the goal area and pass it back with the Togolese defence in disarray.

Just after the break, Tottenham Hotspur striker and Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor thought he had scored with a header, but the Senegalese referee correctly ruled that Mady Panandetiguiri cleared the ball before it crossed the line.

Adebayor evaded several opponents in the 78th minute, but his shot from inside the box was pushed away by Burkina Faso goalkeeper Daouda Diakite.

Burkina Faso responded four minutes later when substitute Prejuce Nakoulma went on a mazy dribble only to be foiled by the alert Agassa.

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'Al-Qaeda fighters' arrested in northern Mali

Malian forces capture eight suspected al-Qaeda-linked fighters, as French jets target fuel depots near Algerian border.

France says it is eager to hand over security in Mali to some 8,000 African troops [AFP]

Malian forces have arrested eight suspected al-Qaeda-linked fighters in northern Mali.

Their capture comes as French fighter jets targeted rebel hideouts and fuel depots in the northeastern desert on Tuesday, near the Algerian border.

The eight suspects captured in Gao are expected to be transferred to Bamako where they will eventually stand trial. They include six Malians, a Nigerian and an Algerian man.

Meanwhile, delegations from the African Union, United Nations, European Union, West African regional body 

ECOWAS, banks and aid groups have been meeting in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the country's future. 

After a three-week military campaign by French-led forces drove the rebels from most of their strongholds, including the cities of Timbuktu and Gao, dozens of French warplanes on Sunday carried out major air strikes on rebel training and logistics centres in Mali's mountainous northeast, near the Algerian border.
"It is about destroying their rear bases, their depots," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told France Inter radio.
"They have taken refuge in the north and the northeast but they can only stay there long-term if they have ways to replenish their supplies."
Fabius said that the army aimed to stop the rebels from doing so by targeting them in a very "efficient" manner.
The al-Qaeda-linked rebels who controlled northern Mali for 10 months have fled into the Adrar des Ifoghas massif in the Kidal region, a mountainous landscape honeycombed with caves.
They are believed to be holding seven French hostages with them, kidnapped in Mali and Niger in 2011 and 2012.
Algeria on Monday also beefed up its positions on the Malian border to prevent "the infiltration of terrorist groups", Mohamed Baba Ali, a member of parliament from the southern town of Tamanrasset, told the AFP news agency.
French withdrawal
French President Francois Hollande said during a visit to Mali on Saturday that while France had plans to pull out from the country, French troops would not leave until it had driven out all the al-Qaeda-linked rebel groups.
"We want to be rapidly relieved by the AFISMA African forces in the cities that we hold," the French foreign minister said.

France says it is eager to hand over security in Mali to some 8,000 African troops, gradually deploying to the country under a UN-backed plan.

In Paris, US Vice President Joe Biden, after meeting with Hollande, backed that demand and said the UN should make the African mission a formal UN peacekeeping operation, a plan UN officials say they are pushing forward.
The EU thinks it can help quickly by releasing some of the 250m euros ($342m) of development aid it froze after a coup in Mali in March last year.
"When a state falls apart, it takes a while to put it back together again ... Nevertheless, we need to try," said a senior EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The country is also experiencing a crippling food crisis which has put an estimated 18 million people at risk of starvation across the Sahel.
The International Red Cross said despite the retreat of the rebels, residents who had fled fighting, estimated by the UN at over 350,000, were also hesitant to return home, with only 7,000 in central Mali returning so far.

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Iran's president begins historic Egypt visit

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in Cairo, marking first visit by an Iranian head of state since Islamic revolution in 1979.

Ahmadinejad said much will change if Tehran and Cairo 'see more eye to eye' on international issues [GALLO/GETTY]

Ahmadinejad said much will change if Tehran and Cairo 'see more eye to eye' on international issues [GALLO/GETTY]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Cairo, marking the first visit to Egypt by an Iranian president since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Ahmadinejad flew into the capital, Cairo, to attend a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), which begins on Wednesday.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi kissed the Iranian leader as he got off the plane on Tuesday.

Ahmadinejad will also meet with Egyptian officials and politicians during his three-day visit, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"I will try to pave the ground for developing co-operation between Iran and Egypt," Ahmadinejad said ahead of the trip.

Without elaborating, he said the visit would "definitely influence the bilateral ties" between Tehran and Cairo.

Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh reporting from Cairo said "We have not seen a full restoration of ties between the two countries... in the words of the Egyptian foreign minister, the crisis in Syria is the main sore point in present time relations between Egypt and Iran."

"Any transformation in relations between the two countries is dependent on developments in Syria."

Bilateral ties

Egypt has responded cautiously to Iranian efforts to revive ties since Morsi took power in 2012, with the two nations adopting opposing positions on the Syrian conflict.

"If Tehran and Cairo see more eye to eye on regional and international issues, many [issues] will change" - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Egypt has been a leading voice in urging his departure - along with regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

"If Tehran and Cairo see more eye to eye on regional and international issues, many [issues] will change," Ahmadinejad was quoted by IRNA as saying.

Tehran severed ties with Cairo in 1980 in protest at a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel by then Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.

Ahmadinejad also expressed interest in visiting the neighbouring Gaza Strip.

Asked in an interview on the Al Mayadeen news channel whether he would visit Gaza while in Cairo next week or before his term as president expires in June, he replied: "My wish is bigger than this. I wish to pray in Jerusalem after complete liberation."

"If they allow it, I would go to Gaza to visit the people," he said, without saying whose authority he would seek.

Iran does not recognise Israel.

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