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Iran's Revolutionary Guards Deny Involved in U.S. 'Plot'

A top commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday denied any involvement of the force in the plot alleged by the United States to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington.

"America's claims about the involvement of some members of the Guards in the fabricated terror plot (targeting) a diplomat from an Arab country in Washington are ridiculous and baseless," Guards deputy commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami was quoted as saying on the state television website.

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Saudi Arabia Condemns 'Abhorrent' Plot to Kill Envoy

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Wednesday the "sinful and abhorrent" attempt to assassinate its ambassador to Washington, a day after the United States claimed Iran was behind the plot, SPA state news agency reported, quoting an unnamed official.

"The Kingdom strongly condemns the sinful and abhorrent attempt to assassinate the (Saudi) envoy... to the United States," SPA said, quoting the official.

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Egypt FM: Israel Apologizes for Border Deaths

Israel has apologized to Egypt for the border killings of six policemen in August that sparked a diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors, Egypt's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

The policemen were killed on August 18, as Israeli troops hunted down militants who had carried out deadly attacks near the border with Israel.

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Saudi Prince Says 'Overwhelming Proof' Iran behind U.S. Plot

A former chief of Saudi intelligence said Wednesday there was overwhelming evidence that Iran was behind a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington and must "pay the price".

"The burden of proof is overwhelming... and clearly shows official Iranian responsibility for this. Somebody in Iran will have to pay the price, whatever the level of these persons is," Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal told a conference on oil in London.

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Iran Warns U.S. against 'Confrontation' over Alleged Plot

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Wednesday warned the United States against "confrontation" over accusations Tehran plotted to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington.

"We are not seeking confrontation; our policy is cooperation and interaction. If they want to impose a confrontation upon the Iranian nation, the consequences of this issue will be more severe for them," Salehi told reporters after a cabinet session, the ISNA news agency reported.

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Prominent Syria Activist Walid al-Bunni 'Freed on Bail'

Prominent Syrian dissident Walid al-Bunni, arrested in August, was freed on bail on Wednesday, his lawyer said.

"The Damascus court of appeals on Wednesday freed opposition figure Walid al-Bunni in exchange for a bail of 1,150 Syrian pounds ($23). He will be tried later for inciting (anti-regime) demonstrations and sectarianism," said Michel Shammas.

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Egypt General Says Army Never Fires on People

Egyptian soldiers never fire on citizens and if they did use their weapons the results would be catastrophic, a military general said on Wednesday, days after deadly clashes with Christians.

"The armed forces cannot direct their fire at the people," General Mahmud Hegazi told a news conference days after the armed forces clashed with Coptic Christian protesters, leaving 25 people dead.

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Iraq Controls Airspace for 1st Time since 2003 Invasion

Iraq this month took responsibility for all of its airspace for the first time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad said on Wednesday.

"On October 1, 2011, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) transferred management of the Baghdad/Balad Airspace sector to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA)," said an embassy statement.

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EU Warns of 'Serious' Global Implications in Iran Plot in U.S.

The European Union voiced "grave concern" Wednesday after the United States said it had foiled an Iranian plot to kill the Saudi ambassador, warning it could have serious international implications.

"Should the facts be confirmed, this would constitute a major breach of international law with serious international implications," said Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton.

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Qatari Emir Hails Syrian Opposition Council

Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has hailed as an "important step" the creation of a Syrian opposition front, urging President Bashar Assad to talk to them after months of deadly protests.

"The (formation of the) Syrian National Council marks an important step" said the ruler of the energy-rich Gulf state in remarks aired on Wednesday by the Doha-based Al-Jazeera news channel.

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