Israeli jets have bombed government buildings in Gaza, as speculation mounted over reports that Israel was preparing for a ground invasion, with the call up of over  75,000 more reserve soldiers.

The US government has lifted a ban on the import of most Burmese goods, a few days before a historic visit by President Obama.

The sanctions, which had been in place for a decade, were lifted after rapid reforms implemented by the Burmese government in recent times.

Continuing its pro-active endorsement of the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition, France is set to accept an ambassador from the Syrian opposition's coalition as an envoy to France.

Three former members of the Kosovan Liberation Army have been arrested by EU police on suspicion of war crimes committed in 1999.

Blerim Krasniqi, spokesman for the EU’s rule of law mission, told Reuters that two of the three men were members of the Kosovo Security Force, which receives training by Nato.

Meeting the new Syrian coalition and its President in London today, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was encouraged, and welcomed their wish to be a "credible, political alternative to the Assad regime".

In a statement, Hague said:

A court in The Hague has freed two Croatian generals, who were convicted of committing atrocities against Serbs in the 90s.

General Ante Gotovina and General Mladen Markac were sentenced to 24 years and 18 years respectively last year, for crimes of murder, persecution and plunder.

A Swedish citizen of Rwandan origin has started his trial in Sweden, marking the country’s first trial for the crime of genocide.

The French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said that he will push for relaxation of an EU arms embargo, to allow the arming of Syrian rebels.

France is the first Western country to recognise the Syrian opposition coalition as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people.

Officials from five EU countries have agreed to a proposal for a training mission for Malian soldiers, who are fighting against rebels in the north of the country.

A second day of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza strip has been met by an intensified barrage of missiles and rockets fired at Tel-Aviv by Hamas and other militant groups.

The French President, Francois Hollande, has become the first Western leader to recognise Syria's opposition coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

The US and the UK, whilst expressing their strong support, have not recognised it as a government in exile.