Free Republic

MUSLIM community leaders have united to denounce extremism, terrorism and the teaching of hatred at a summit in Canberra aimed at fighting the possible emergence of radical Islamists in Australia. President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Ameer Ali said the meeting, convened by Prime Minister John Howard, was "constructive and fruitful" and that the Muslim community had an unreserved commitment to the safety of all Australians. "We agreed to denounce extremism, terrorism and the teaching of hatred in this country," Dr Ali said. "We believe in the Australian family, we are all members of the same family. "There...

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to do more to combat violence in the Middle East. Ms Rice praised the president for the steps already taken towards security reform, but said it was insufficient. "Much more needs to be done particularly to actively use the security forces to combat lawlessness, and to combat terrorism," she said. Ms Rice was speaking after talks with the Palestinian leader in Ramallah. Withdrawal plan Ms Rice is on the first leg of a two-day regional tour aimed at boosting the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians....