World datelines

Britain

LONDON — Sinn Fein, the Northern Ireland party that once backed the killing of police officers, met the province's police commander for the first time Monday, in pursuit of a new peace agreement between Catholics and Protestants.

China

Rising power China moved Monday to expand its influence in a region long dominated by the United States, signing an accord with Southeast Asian nations aimed at creating the world's largest free trade area by 2010 — a sprawling market of nearly 2 billion people.

Congo

KINSHASA — Congo intends to send up to 10,000 reinforcements toward its eastern border with Rwanda, a presidential spokesman said Monday, after credible reports that thousands of Rwandan troops crossed into its territory, raising fears of reigniting a devastating five-year regional war.

Cuba

HAVANA — Several of the original 75 dissidents arrested in a broad crackdown last year in Cuba were released Monday without warning, according to friends, relatives and local rights activists. The surprise move raised hopes for additional releases in the coming days.

Egypt

CAIRO — Osama bin Laden's top deputy vowed in a videotape aired Monday to keep fighting the United States until Washington changed its policies.

France

PARIS — Nicolas Sarkozy resigned as finance minister Monday, a day after accepting the leadership of France's conservative party and effectively becoming a rival to his old boss, President Jacques Chirac.

Myanmar

YANGON — Detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been told she will be held under house arrest at least until September, a spokesman for her political party said Monday.

Pakistan

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan successfully test-fired a new version of its short-range, nuclear-capable missile Monday, officials said, in the latest round of tit-for-tat launches with neighboring India despite recent peace overtures.

Romania