STRASBOURG (AFP) - There is no need for the International Monetary Fund to help Greece out of its economic crisis as Europe can handle the problem, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse on Tuesday sacked the national parliament and cleared the way for a national election two months ahead of schedule, his spokesman said.

ROME (AFP) - Pro-goverment militia joined protesters Tuesday to try to storm Italy's embassy in Tehran, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told a Senate hearing.

KABUL (AFP) - Avalanches in a strategic pass through treacherous mountains in northern Afghanistan killed 24 people, with up to 40 people missing and feared dead, the interior minister said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (AFP) - Iran's decision to start enriching uranium to higher levels "heightens doubts on the sincerity" of Iran's nuclear intentions, Russia's foreign ministry said Tuesday.