[02:30.47]That wasn't an excuse, he said, but it was something to be borne in mind.
[02:34.50]The Nigerian military says it's killed the second in command of Islamist group Boko Haram.
[02:39.46]It said Momodu Bama died during a Boko Haram attack in the northeastern state of Borno early this month.
[02:45.49]There has been no independent confirmation of his death.
[02:48.37]The armed forces have been carrying out operations against the groups since President Goodluck Jonathan declared an emergency in three northeastern states in May.
[02:57.06]World News from the BBC.
[02:59.86]Israeli and Palestinian representatives meeting in Jerusalem are reported to have begun their first direct negotiations in three years.
[03:09.04]The initial session is likely to focus on borders and security.
[03:12.78]Our BBC correspondent says the talk has been held in a downbeat atmosphere.
[03:17.43]Earlier Israel released the first group of Palestinian prisoners freed as part of the negotiating process brokered by the Secretary of State John Kerry.
[03:25.64]But it also announced an expansion of its settlement program on occupied territory.
[03:29.93]After 22 years the medical charity MSF said it's closing all its operations in Somalia.
[03:36.93]MSF’s international President Dr. Unni Karunakara said it had been one of the hardest decisions MSF ever made.