Suicide Car Bomb in Pakistan

A suicide car bomber attacked Shiite Muslims in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday as they were heading home after morning prayers at the start of an Islamic holiday. (Aug. 31)

Unfortunately, I don't have any more update on this topic

'Car Bombs Found' In Struggling Tripoli

Anti-Gaddafi soldiers have told Sky News two unexploded car bombs were found in Tripoli, amid reports the former Libyan leader is in the desert town of Bani Walid.

It comes after funds arrived from abroad for the National Transitional Council (NTC), and as world leaders gather in Paris to discuss Libya's future.

The summit is being hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron later today.

But meanwhile, there is a power vacuum in Tripoli and the people are asking when the leadership of the interim government - the NTC - will arrive.

The cash that arrived on Wednesday evening is needed to pay wages and get the city moving.

There is still intermittent power and water across the capital, after Gaddafi loyalists attempted to sabotage water supplies.

An anti-Gaddafi soldier on patrol in Tripoli

This is not a city on its knees, but it is a place desperate not to see the same mistakes of reconstruction made in the wake of the fall of Baghdad in 2003.

The NTC will be given just a few weeks to show real progress is being made on the ground.

Politicians talking in Paris and making promises will not be enough - food is available, but there needs to be real evidence of humanitarian aid being brought in.

As the people of Tripoli struggle to continue with their lives, there was continuing speculation over Colonel Gaddafi's whereabouts.

A top military commander of the NTC says the former leader is believed to be in Bani Walid, some 95 miles southeast of the capital.

There appears to be signs of a split between two of Muammar Gaddafi's sons

Reports quoted Abdel Majid as saying they had information suggesting Col Gaddafi had gone there with his son, Saif al Islam, and his intelligence chief three days after the fall of Tripoli.

The reports of Col Gaddafi's alleged location come after opposition forces found at least two unexploded car bombs on the outskirts of Tripoli.

They say at least two vehicles packed with explosives were discovered in the suburbs on Wednesday night.

It comes after two of Col Gaddafi's sons gave contrasting messages to the media - one saying he would negotiate surrender and another promising a fight to the death.

France unblocks Libya cash, NTC denies oil deal

French Foreign Minister - Alain Juppe

PARIS, Sept 1 (Reuters) - France said on Thursday it had U.N. approval to release 1.5 billion euros ($2.16 billion) of Libyan assets to help rebuild the country, and the interim ruling council denied a report of an oil deal with Paris.

Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told RTL radio that with the situation in Libya now stabilising it was time to give the National Transition Council quick access to the funds it needed for civilian requirements and to start reconstruction.

"We have to help the National Transitional Council because the country is devastated, the humanitarian situation is difficult and there's a lack of water, electricity and fuel," Juppe said.

The approval by the United Nations Sanctions Committee will release a fifth of total Libyan assets of around 7.6 billion euros parked in France, and follows the release of a similar amount of funds in the United States and Britain.

Asked about a letter published by the daily newspaper Liberation saying the NTC had agreed a deal in April to give France priority access to 35 percent of Libyan oil in exchange for its backing, Juppe said he was unaware of such a letter or agreement. Reuters saw a copy of the letter.

The NTC denied the report and a French diplomatic source and an oil industry source both said they knew nothing about any oil deal with France.

"It's a joke. It's false," NTC spokesman Mahmoud Shammam said, adding that such a deal was unthinkable. Shammam and interim Prime Minister Mahmoud Jabril were both mentioned in the letter.

Juppe told RTL he was not aware of any specific arrangement.

"I am not aware of this letter," he said. "What I know is the NTC said very officially that concerning the reconstruction of Libya it would turn in preference to those who helped it. That seems fair and logical to me."

"There's a declaration by the NTC but I am not aware of a formal deal. We're not alone. Italy is also there, (and) the Americans."

France hosts an international conference on Libya later on Thursday when NTC leaders will sit down with world powers to discuss Libya's reconstruction.

While the three-hour agenda is focused on the political and economic rebuilding, talks on the sidelines are expected to reflect early jostling for lucrative contracts in oil, utilities, infrastructure and other areas.

"You know this operation in Libya costs a lot. It's also an investment in the future because a democratic Libya is a country that will develop, offering stability, security and development in the region," Juppe said