• US hails capture of Abu Abbas in Iraq as proof of a link between Saddam and terrorism

•  Italy says will seek extradition of Abbas; Palestinian Authority demands his release but US says he has no immunity under 1995 ME peace deal

• US says Marines raid Baghdad home of scientist wanted for work on Saddam’s banned weapons programme

• Syria says will cooperate with US but not close offices of Palestinian groups; Iran tells US to stop threatening Syria

• EU working on ways to involve UN and EU in rebuilding Iraq

• Ahmad Chalabi, head of pro-American Iraqi National Congress, visits Baghdad for first time since 1958

• US - 123 killed, 4 missing

• Britain - 30 killed

• Iraqi military - at least 2,320 in Baghdad, according to US military. Iraq has given no figures for its military losses

•  Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates up to April 3) - 1,254 killed, 5,112 wounded

• EU to fly wounded Iraqis, especially children, to Europe for urgent hospital treatment in next few days, Chirac says.

• West’s energy watchdog, International Energy Agency, says it does not expect Iraqi oil exports to resume within next few weeks

• Turkey says UN to buy $200 million worth of foodstuffs from Turkish suppliers

• UN Food and Agriculture Organisation says farmers in Iraq urgently need spare parts and fuel for upcoming spring harvest.—Reuters