World briefs

EGYPT

Train crashes at crossing; 24 killed

A cargo train traveling south of Cairo slammed into vehicles crossing the tracks early today, killing 24 people, many from the same family returning from a wedding party, state TV said. A medical emergency official said 28 people were injured. The head of the Giza security sector, Kamal el-Dali, said most of the dead and injured were family members on a bus returning from a wedding in Cairo, heading to the southern city of Fayyoum.

LIBYATripoli residents call general strike

Residents of Tripoli began a general strike yesterday and held protests, demanding the city's myriad powerful militias be disbanded after weekend violence in which nearly 50 people were killed. Tripoli residents are seething over the violence that erupted Friday, particularly directed at powerful militias from the western city of Misrata operating in the capital. Protesters marched on a neighborhood controlled by a number of powerful Misrata militias, prompting some militiamen to open fire, killing 43 people. A day later, another militia attempted to overrun a military base, resulting in a clash with government forces that left four dead. Misrata's city council announced late yesterday it is withdrawing its representatives from the interim national parliament and from the cabinet.

IRAQ20 more killed in new attacks

Attacks across Iraq killed at least 20 people yesterday, officials said, as gunmen attacked a militia leader and bombs targeted police officers and civilians. In eastern New Baghdad, a parked car bomb missed a police patrol but killed three civilians and wounded 10, a police officer said. A car bombing in Baghdad's eastern Sadr City neighborhood killed one person and wounded 11. In the southwestern suburb of Radwaniyah, a bomb went off in a commercial area, killing three civilians and wounding 10, authorities said.

NIGERIAFrench hostage escapes militants

A French engineer kidnapped in northern Nigeria 11 months ago escaped on a motorcycle without paying ransom and will fly back to France, police said. Francis Collomp escaped from abductors in Zaria, in the northern state of Kaduna. The Boko Haram splinter group Ansaru claimed responsibility for his kidnapping.