A leading Islamic militant, Ilyas Kashmiri, has been killed in a US drone strike in northwest Pakistan. He was one of nine militants killed on Friday night in South Waziristan. From Islamabad, Orla Guerin.
A month after the killing of Osama Bin Laden, it appears that al-Qaeda has been
deprived of
another top leader Ilyas Kashmiri. The veteran militant was one of the organisation's most active commanders and was viewed as a possible replacement for Bin Laden. He was targeted with Pakistan's help, according to an intelligence official here. Kashmiri was blamed for a string of attacks in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
Pope Benedict has again given his strong backing to Croatia's efforts to join the European Union. Speaking in Zagreb, at the start of a two-day visit, he said most Croatians believed the country was at the centre of Europe and should join the EU. Here's our Balkans correspondent Mark Lowen.
A warm welcome for Pope Benedict as he arrived at Zagreb airport, the Vatican and Croatian anthems played as he began his first trip to this
devoutly
Catholic country. His visit comes at a defining moment for Croatia as it marks 20 years as an independent state. It stands
on the brink of
European Union membership, aiming to join in 2013. The Vatican
is keen to
see another
staunchly
Catholic nation join the bloc. Pope Benedict was clearly supportive in his opening address, calling Croatia's membership "logical, just and necessary", and urging Croats to