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TOP STORY

JERUSALEM

Hamas turned down truce, Carter says

Former President Carter said Monday the Islamic group Hamas was willing to accept the Jewish state as a "neighbor next door," but the militants did not match their upbeat words with concrete steps to halt violence.

Hamas, which advocates Israel's destruction, instead recycled previous offers, including a 10-year truce if Israel takes the unlikely step of withdrawing from the West Bank and Jerusalem first.

"I did the best I could," Carter said of his conversation with Hamas supreme leader Khaled Mashaal, pressing him to declare a one-month truce. "They turned me down, and I think they're wrong."

IN BRIEF

IRAQ

Government pleads with Arab neighbors

BAGHDAD — Iraq's prime minister appealed Monday for support from his Arab neighbors, urging them to open embassies and forgive Iraqi debts as his government tries to crack down on Shiite militias in a crucial power struggle.

But the government plea came as militia leaders warned more violence could await.

Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the biggest militia, said they could widen the battles with the government — even asking supporters for blood donations to aid fighters injured during weeks of urban clashes.

With tension rising, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki flew to Kuwait for a meeting today of Iraq's neighbors to discuss ways they can help Iraq's Shiite-led government as it confronts both Shiite militias and Sunni extremists including al-Qaida in Iraq.

Al-Maliki said he will be looking for tangible support, including relief from Iraq's $67 billion foreign debt — most of it owed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

BRAZIL

Priest taken aloft by balloons is missing

SAO PAULO — A Roman Catholic priest who floated off under hundreds of helium party balloons was missing Monday off the southern coast of Brazil.

Rescuers in helicopters and small fishing boats were searching off the coast of Santa Catarina state, where pieces of balloons were found.

The Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli lifted off from the port city of Paranagua on Sunday afternoon, wearing a helmet, thermal suit and a parachute.

He was reported missing about eight hours later after losing contact with port authority officials, according to the treasurer of his Sao Cristovao parish, Denise Gallas.

Gallas said the priest wanted to break a 19-hour record for the most hours flying with balloons to raise money for a spiritual rest stop for truckers in Paranagua, Brazil's second-largest port for agricultural products.

BAHAMAS

Fleeing Haitians' boat capsizes; 20 dead

NASSAU — Haitians fleeing their impoverished homeland met tragedy when their boat went down off the Bahamas, killing at least 20 people and leaving only three known survivors, including an alleged migrant smuggler, authorities said Monday.

Survivors said the boat was carrying 24 people when it capsized Saturday night, according to U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Luis Diaz in Miami. Just before dawn Sunday, fishermen heard screams.

PAKISTAN

Pro-Taliban cleric released; pact signed

PESHAWAR — Pakistan freed a pro-Taliban cleric and quickly signed an accord with his hard-line group Monday, the first major step by the new government to talk peace with Islamic militants and break with President Pervez Musharraf's policy of using force.

The day's developments began with the release of Sufi Muhammad, who is believed in his 70s, after more than five years in custody after his dispatch of thousands of followers to fight in Afghanistan.

A few hours later, the government of North West Frontier Province said Muhammad's group signed a pact renouncing violence in return for being allowed to peacefully campaign for Islamic law. Security forces have the right to "act against" any extremists who attack the government.

Analysts cautioned it would take time to judge the new approach.

SPAIN

Pirates in gulf attack oil Japan tanker

MADRID — Pirates in the lawless Gulf of Aden fired on a Japanese oil tanker Monday, unleashing hundreds of gallons of fuel into the sea, a day after a Spanish tuna boat was hijacked using rocket-propelled grenades.

The attacks highlight an alarming increase in piracy by well-armed bandits, prompting international demands for better protection of the world's shipping lanes.

France plans to present a proposal at the United Nations that would create an international "right of pursuit" allowing countries to chase pirates when they try to flee into territorial waters, the French Foreign Ministry said.

The proposal, which comes after a French luxury yacht was hijacked this month, would also urge stronger maritime patrols in high-risk areas.

In the latest incidents, the suspected pirate ship fired on the Japanese tanker in the Gulf of Aden, ripping a 1-inch hole in the ship that caused the fuel to leak, officials said.

The attack help send crude oil prices to a new record, spiking above $117 a barrel Monday before falling back slightly.

The 150,000-ton tanker was attacked 170 miles off the coast of Yemen while it was heading to Saudi Arabia. No one was injured, its Japanese operator Nippon Yusen K.K. said.

— From wire reports