adminWeeks needed to disband militias: Libya defence chief
TRIPOLI — It will take weeks to rid Libya’s streets of the militias that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, and months to form an army fit to take their place, Defence Minister Osama Al-Juwali said yesterday.
His comments signalled a rift with others in Libya’s interim leadership who have called repeatedly for the heavily-armed militias that swept into Tripoli in August to quit the capital and set them a deadline of the end of this month.
Israel set to complete swap for captured soldier
Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners late on Sunday, in the second and final phase of a swap with Hamas militants that brought home an Israeli soldier after five years in captivity.
Under the Egyptian-brokered deal, Israel has agreed to exchange a total of 1 027 prisoners for Sgt Gilad Schalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006. Schalit returned home in October when Israel freed the first batch of 477 prisoners. Sunday’s release completed the swap.
Former IMF chief Strauss-Kahn speaks
DOMINIQUE Strauss-Kahn has made a rare public appearance after sexual-assault charges against him were dropped, declaring a Eurozone collapse would not solve Europe’s sovereign debt crisis.
Speaking at a forum in Beijing in his first public appearance since resigning under pressure earlier this year, the former International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director stressed the continent’s banks must be recapitalised.
Egypt clashes move into 4th day, US worried
CAIRO — Egyptian security forces fought opponents of army rule in Cairo for a fourth day yesterday and the United States, worried by the violence, urged the generals to respect human rights.
Medical sources said the death toll had risen to 13 since Friday. Hundreds have been wounded and scores detained.
Terry gives Chelsea a fright
London — Chelsea captain John Terry is expected to be fit to face Tottenham in Thursday’s London derby despite limping out of yesterday’s open training session at Stamford Bridge.
According to a statement on Chelsea’s website, the England centre-back “pinched his Achilles” while blocking a shot towards the end of the training session and went off for treatment as a precaution.
However, Chelsea said they expect Terry, who took a blow to the knee during last weekend’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Wigan, to lead the team out as normal at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Chelsea are currently fourth in the table, just two points behind third-placed Tottenham.
Nengomasha urges troops ahead of break
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha is encouraging his troops to finish off the year with an away victory over AmaZulu today to enhance their title aspirations.
Chiefs — with 27 points — now sit just a point behind both Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United and could go into the eight weeks break sitting at the top if they win at Moses Mabhida and the Tshwane duo fails to pick maximum points tomorrow.
Zvasiya turns hero for Chiefs
Sports Reporter
WARRIORS defender and former FC Platinum player Lincoln Zvasiya was the hero for his South African Premiership giants, Kaizer Chiefs, when he netted in the 79th minute in what proved to be the winner in their 2-1 win over Free State Stars.
FC Platinum offload 11 players
By Sikhumbuzo Moyo
ZVISHAVANE-based Premiership side FC Platinum will announce their position on the offloaded players “very soon”, according to club secretary Phillimon Muwengwa.
The side left out 11 players from their Caf Champions League squad after registering 14 new players, among them Highlanders skipper Gilbert Banda, Motor Action’s utility player Allan Gahadzikwa, and Gunners’ Qadir Amin, among others.
FC Platinum, Shabanie take festive break
Sports Correspondent
FC PLATINUM and Shabanie Football Club, the two Midlands-based Premier Soccer League outfits, have joined a host of first and second division clubs on festive sabbatical after fulfilling the weekend’s obligations.
SA to host 2012 World Corporate Golf Challenge
THE 2012 World Corporate Golf Challenge will be held in May in South Africa, and the licensee for the World Corporate Golf Challenge in Zimbabwe, Golfzone, will hold the qualifiers of the event between March and April at Chapman Golf Club.