The German government has admitted it provided training and equipment worth over €50,000 to the Belarusian security forces.

The interior ministry said it supplied surveillance equipment including digital cameras and computers and three Volkswagen police vans between 2008 and 2010, but could not confirm reports that batons and other riot combat equipment were also delivered during the period.

Germany said last week that it provided training to senior militia officers and border guards, trusting Belarus to be committed to a “process of democracy”.

"Ultimately, the archbishop is of the view that Mr. Blair's decision to support the United States' military invasion of Iraq, on the basis of unproven allegations of the existence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, was morally indefensible."

"The Discovery Invest Leadership Summit has leadership as its theme. Morality and leadership are indivisible."

"In this context, it would be inappropriate and untenable for the archbishop to share a platform with Mr Blair."

The Colombian government and Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) are to hold exploratory talks towards peace, the Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Monday.

Addressing state TV, Santos said,

"Since the first day of my government I have completed my constitutional obligation to find peace. With that aim, we have had exploratory conversations with the FARC to seek an end to the conflict,"

The talks are understood to take place later this year in Norway or Cuba.

Santos added that the Colombian military would continue to act "throughout every centimetre" of the country whilst the talks took place.

According to Reuters, Santos has agreed that Farc rebels would not be extradited to any other country to face convictions.

Six soldiers and three marines have escaped criminal prosecution and received administrative punishments for burning the Quran and urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters.

The actions by the soldiers triggered widespread rioting and led to retaliatory killings of at least four US military personnel and the deaths of over 30 Afghans.

The exact punishments have not been revealed but could include demotions, forfeit of pay and extra duty.

“We believe this could be the start of a much larger influx. Some of those who have crossed in recent days — especially Friday — report being bombed by aircraft. There are also reports of shelling, mortars and other weapons fire.”

“Refugees say many thousands more are waiting to cross amid violence around Dara’a”

Burmese courts have given two United Nations workers prison sentences for involvement in promoting hatred between the ethnic communities and participating in arson attacks.

A UN spokesman confirmed that one of those sentenced was an UN refugee agency employee and the other was a member of the UN World Food Programme.

A spokesperson for the world body’s refugee agency in Bangkok, Vivian Tan described the Burmese decisions as “very disappointing”.