Syrian President Bashar al-Assad urged U.S. to help restart talks over Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967 war. Israel reacted sceptically to peace overtures and in late Dec- ember announced plan to double number of settlers in Golan Heights. Elsewhere, Syrian authorities arrested 6 men believed to be al Qaeda couriers and confiscated US$23.5 million.

Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary- General’s Special Representative for Western Sahara, and UNHCR officials visited Algeria and Morocco for talks on new confidence building measures aimed at helping Western Sahara’s refugees living in desert camps in Algeria. This followed successful meeting in Geneva earlier in month with Frent POLISARIO officials.

Security forces reportedly foiled plot to blow up UK embassy in capital, Sanaa. Government walking fine line between cooperating with U.S. in war on terror and appeasing populace strongly opposed to U.S. policies in region.

Delivery of humanitarian assistance impeded by landmines, poor roads and approaching wet season. DR Congo and Congo-Brazzaville military chiefs offered full co- operation to Angola to deal with secessionists in oil rich province of Cabinda. Continued human rights abuses by Angolan army alleged in Cabinda, denied by government.

Mixed month for Burundi. Positive development with largest Hutu rebel group, FDD, signing final peace agreement with government on 16 November, endorsing political, defence and security power sharing arrangements reached in earlier agreements. Government reshuffled to include four FDD leaders as ministers. But last remaining Hutu rebel group, FNL, continues fighting, shelling capital Bujumbura, and causing estimated 12,000 civilians to flee.

UN agencies warned CAR could face severe food crisis in next four months, resulting from displacement of 1.5m of 3.8m population during civil war which ended in March 2003. 200,000 remain internally displaced.

Government troops fired on demonstrators protesting against government policies: at least 15 protesters wounded. Five arrested for alleged coup plot.

Rebels declare state of emergency in north of country, claiming army is preparing to attack them. President Gbagbo called on rebels to lay down arms. French peacekeeping troops clashed with about 100 Ivorian government troops who entered demilitarised zone 30 November. Soldiers briefly seized television station 30 November and broadcast demand that Gbagbo attack rebels. UN SG Kofi Annan warned country may slip back into conflict. West African leaders trying to find solution to crisis - urged UN to consider replacing stretched ECOWAS forces with UN peacekeeping forces. Human Rights Watch accused pro- government militias of killings and torture of citizens in government controlled parts of country.

Situation improving but still dangerous. In significant move, leader of Rwandan Hutu rebel group in Congo, FDLR, and over 100 followers surrendered to Rwandan officials 15 November. Remains to be seen if move leads to surrender of other FDLR leaders. DRC and Rwanda presidents met with South Africa’s President Mbeki in Pretoria 27 November and committed to repatriation of remaining Rwandan Hutus in eastern Congo to Rwanda within 12 months. UN MONUC mission to deploy more widely, with focus on Ituri province, city of Kisangani and Kivus region.

Presentation of new constitution, due 14 November, delayed for further review. Commonwealth team criticised October elections as largely devoid of meaning. King appointed friends and family to join elected members of assembly.