Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 26

Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 26

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday themilitary mission in Libya was "clear and focused" and achievingsuccess.

Obama asserted in his weekly radio and Internet address that theU.S.-led coalition was succeeding in its mission by taking outLibya's air defenses and preventing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi'sforces from "advancing across Libya." (US-Obama-Libya)

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ADDIS ABABA/WASHINGTON -- The African Union (AU) says Libya hasagreed to halt military action and implement political reforms toend the current crisis.

Meanwhile, NATO has taken command and control from the UnitedStates of two aspects of the ongoing multinational intervention inLibya, which saw coalition warplanes bomb Libyan targets on Fridayfor the seventh straight day. (Libya-AU-NATO)

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SANAA -- A large number of armed al-Qaida militants surroundedthe republican palace and local radio station in Jaar district ofYemen's southern province of Abyan on Saturday, an official at theradio station told Xinhua.

The militants laid a heavy siege around the two governmentbuildings since early Saturday morning. (Yemen-Al-Qaida)

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TARLAY, Myanmar -- Relief operations were launched Saturdayextensively in northeastern part of Myanmar following a 7.0-magnitude quake hit the country's border area on Thursday.

Relief supplies were being seen unloading from air planes. (Myanmar-Quake-Relief)