The withdrawal is set to happen in October 10 days after the deployment of the 200 European Union observers. In exchange, Georgia promised not to use force against the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossettia. Russia plans to retain troops in South Ossettia and Abkhazia. In a separate development, Georgia accused Russia before the UN International Court of Justice of conducting a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" in Georgian territory. Moscow did not comment.

Pakistan: Zardari sworn in as president
Pakistan president-elect Asif Ali Zardari was sworn into office today, after winning in a poll among lawmakers on Saturday. The widow of Benazir Bhutto takes office amid mounting international concern about the stability of Pakistan, whose tribal belt is seen by the US as a save haven for al Qaeda and Islamist militias. Around 1,200 people have died in bombings and suicide attacks across the country last year. On Saturday, 33 people died and more than 80 were wounded when a suicide car-bomber rammed a police checkpoint in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

UN warns over food aid
The UN World Food Programme has announced that unless there is a rapid improvement in security it will suspend food aid distribution in parts of Darfur. WFP spokesman said 43 drivers and 69 trucks were missing after being attacked by armed groups this year alone. The organisation has been cutting rations since May due to a spate of attacks in Darfur. More than two million people need food aid in the region after more than five years of clashes. More than 300,000 people have died in the fighting and two million have been displaced, according to the UN.

34 dead in mudslide in N China
Soldiers and firemen have been digging through rubble and mud after a mudslide swept through the mining town of Taoshi, in the Shanxi province. At least 34 people have been killed and at least another hundred are missing. Over 1,000 police officers have been trying to find survivors.

Iraq: crackdown on squatters
The Iraqi government has announced it is cracking down on squatters living in empty properties in Baghdad. Government security forces and local officials have started forcibly removing the squatters after a one-month grace period ended in August, according to an official statement. Squatters have been paid about 1,500 dollars to rent other properties. According to the Migration and Displacement Ministry, there are 3,491 houses illegally occupied in Iraq - more than two thirds of them in Baghdad. Many of these properties belong to refugees and internally displaced people. Since July, the Iraqi government has been encouraging four million internally displaced people to return to their homes. Those who do so will be given a one-off payment of about 840 dollars.

Prison riot in Upper Egypt
One prisoner has died and at least another 20 were injured following unrest at a jail in the city of Assiut, Upper Egypt. The riots were sparked by the death of an inmate in solitary confinement. He had reportedly been put there after a fight between prisoners. During the riots, which lasted for several hours, inmates seized guns and took officers hostage. The police used teargas and live bullets to regain control of the prison - which holds 3,000 inmates. Four warders were hurt during the clashes. Egyptian prisons are often overcrowded, and there have been reports of abuse by the wardens.