U.S. announced 11 June investigation into reports Libya plotted to assassinate Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 2003. U.S. nevertheless reopened liaison office in Tripoli following visit of Assistant Secretary of State William Burns. Negotiations continue on compensation for Libyan-sponsored 1986 Berlin disco bombing.

U.S. signed free-trade deal with Morocco 15 June, bolstering kingdom’s status as major U.S. ally. Human rights groups questioned Morocco’s record in Western Sahara.

Security forces in Riyadh killed al-Qaeda’s leader in Saudi Arabia and 2 others 18 June, hours after militants beheaded U.S. hostage Paul Johnson. In bid to quell growing anxiety following spate of recent attacks, government said foreigners would be allowed to carry guns.

Government said activities of Kurdish political parties would no longer be permitted, 3 months after unrest left 30 Kurds dead. Negotiations on major trade agreement with EU stalled over Syrian refusal to renounce weapons of mass destruction. [Last month’s CrisisWatch incorrectly reported agreement had been signed.]

James Baker resigned as UN Secretary General’s personal envoy 11 June, frustrated at lack of progress toward peace deal during 7-year tenure: Morocco continues to reject Baker plan. Alvaro de Soto will take on Baker’s brief. 100 Moroccan POWs released by Polisario 22 June.

Over 60 supporters of radical Shiite cleric Hussein al-Houthi killed as government troops laid siege on his base in mountainous northern Yemen.

President Dos Santos visited Washington D.C., insisting “there is no war” in Angola’s tiny but oil-rich Cabinda province, but sources on ground claim ongoing tension between as many as 30,000 Angolan troops and separatist FLEC-FAC forces. Opposition UNITA party walked out of talks on 2005 election 12 May, blaming government stalling. In positive move 20 May, Angola promised 45-day suspension of expulsion of illegal Congolese (DRC) diamond miners which had destabilised DR Congo/Angola relationship.

Forces de défense de la démocratie (FDD) temporarily withdrew from unity government 2 May prompting collapse fears. UNHCR estimated 40,000 Burundian refugees returned from Tanzania since January, but 20,000 people internally displaced in same period due to fighting between government and rebel Hutu FNL forces in Bujumbura Rural province. Army claims it killed 9 FNL rebels 14 May and further 13 29 May; denied by FNL. UN Security Council approved new UN peacekeeping operation to be established from 1 June numbering 5,650 military personnel and incorporating current African Union mission. Burundi government proposal to extend transition period to 29 October 2005 refused by South African team 28 May as Pretoria electoral talks drag on.

Up to 200,000 Sudanese refugees, some armed, fled from Darfur to Chad in recent weeks, straining local population and stretching food supplies. Arab “Janjaweed” militias continued to pursue cross-border refugees from Sudan. Chad claimed 60 Arab militia killed 5 May after attacking Djanga border village. Army mutineers in N'djamena surrendered 20 May after 3-day standoff: President Idriss Deby claimed mutineers had intended to kill him, angered by plans for army reform. Opposition boycotted government-dominated parliamentary vote allowing possible third term for Deby. Chadian MDJT rebels claimed March capture of Algerian Salafist leader Amari Saifi 14 May.

President Gbagbo fired 3 opposition Forces Nouvelles (FN) ministers and replaced them with allies, breaking Marcoussis peace accords and leading rebel leader Guillaume Soro to withdraw recognition 24 May. Prime Minister Diarra decided to stay on, but refused to chair cabinet meetings until problem resolved. UN pledged support as 6,240 UN peackeepers began to arrive, but Soro, alleging existence of Gbagbo-backed militants in Guinea, did not rule out return to war. UN Security Council condemned government 14 May, alleging use of torture, non-respect of human rights and complicity in “indiscriminate killing” of 120 protesters 25-26 March. Security Council called for wide UN enquiry covering events from September 2002, leading to pro-government protests against UN presence and threats to French interests. 30,000 Gbagbo supporters demonstrated against UN 31 May.