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ISRAEL

15 wanted militants allowed back in Gaza

JERUSALEM -- Up to 15 Palestinian militants wanted by Israel have returned to the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials said yesterday, complaining that the Palestinian Authority had not fulfilled its obligation since taking control of the border with Egypt last week.

The Palestinians said they did not violate a U.S.-brokered deal for operating the Rafah terminal, and that the fugitives had the right to return. European monitors at Rafah said they were trying to settle the dispute to protect the border agreement, the biggest diplomatic achievement since Israel's unilateral pullout from Gaza last summer.

UGANDA

Court halts trial of opposition leader

KAMPALA -- Uganda's High Court yesterday ordered the military to suspend its trial of the main opposition leader until the civilian court rules on whether the proceeding is legal.

Justice Remmy Kasule, however, refused to release Kizza Besigye on bail because the attorney general and the head of the military court were not represented during yesterday's proceedings.

Mr. Besigye was detained Nov. 14 and was charged with treason and rape in a civilian court after returning from self-imposed exile to run for president in next year's elections. He later was also accused of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms at a military court that is controlled by trusted aides to President Yoweri Museveni.