Wednesday morning roundup

Iraq and Syria pledged to establish a "cooperation council" to work together on key issues including water, electricity, border security and transportation. The announcement came after yesterday's meeting between Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

"The two sides discussed expanding co-operation over borders, oil, gas, water, transport, and working to increase trade between the two countries by establishing free-trade zones," a statement from al-Maliki's office said.

The two leaders released few details on their conversation, which was believed to center largely around security issues on the Iraqi-Syrian border.

The Lebanese army says it has recaptured Taha Hajj Suleiman, the fugitive who escaped from prison yesterday. Suleiman was reportedly found in the woods north of the Roumieh prison. He staged a dramatic prison break yesterday, climbing over inmates who formed a "human ladder" and jumping over the prison fence.

Suleiman helped to lead Fatah al-Islam forces in a three-month battle against the Lebanese army in 2007.

Shi'ite rebels in Yemen are receiving financial support from "abroad," according to a Yemeni government official, who was likely trying to implicate Iran. The government is trying to put down an uprising by rebels in northern Saada province.

The ministry of defense's newspaper, September 26, quoted information minister Hassan Ahmed al-Lawzi as saying "there are foreign parties that are giving financial and political support to elements of rebellion and destruction in Saada."

Al-Lawzi didn't provide any proof to back up his claim.

A Taiwanese oil tanker traveling from the UAE is sinking in the Malacca Strait. The tanker, reportedly in flames, collided with a cargo vessel traveling through the narrow strait. The crash happened overnight, in clear weather, according to Malaysian police, who are responding to the fire.

Finally, on a lighter note (though perhaps not for her fans): A firefighters strike might cancel the upcoming Madonna concert in Israel.

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