EGYPT: Security chief defies orders to fire cops accused in deaths.
Interior Minister Mansour el-Issawi, the head of security forces, has defied orders by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to fire police officers accused of killing protesters during the recent uprising. El-Issawi said summarily firing them would be illegal. Egyptians have returned to the streets, furious over the failure to cleanse the tainted police and over a leadership they complain is botching an already-chaotic transition to democracy.
LIBYA: Obama may back Russian talks with Khadafy.
The White House says President Barack Obama told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that the U.S. is prepared to support Russian-led negotiations in Libya. However, Obama said the U.S. would back the negotiations only if they lead to a democratic transition and longtime Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy steps aside.
Meanwhile, rebels battling Khadafy’s forces in Libya’s western mountains fear that supply shortages and other hurdles could prevent them from making major headway before fighting is likely to slow for Ramadan next month.
YEMEN: White House aide briefs VP on plan to transfer power.
The White House counter terrorism chief briefed Yemen’s vice president Monday on Washington’s push for a swift transfer of power in the increasingly unstable nation. John Brennan met with Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in a bid to revive a power-transfer deal proposed by Yemen’s neighbors. Hadi has headed the government since embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh left for neighboring Saudi Arabia to be treated for wounds he suffered in a June 3 attack.
Denver Post wire services
