KHARTOUM, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The two released female aid workers from the Irish aid group GOAL arrived Monday in Khartoum after being in captivity for about a hundred days in Darfur.

The two aid workers, 33-year-old Sharon Commins from Ireland and the Ugandan Hilda Kawuki who is 42-year-old, looked healthy as they stepped down from the plane. They flew from North Darfur State to Khartoum airport Monday morning.

The two are expected to stay for a whole day at a hospital in Khartoum to undergo routine medical checkups.

"The two hostages did not suffer any physical harm, but they have experienced sever fatigue and therefore we decided to take them to the hospital for routine tests," said the Sudanese State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Abdul Bagi al-Jailani in a press conference in Khartoum following their arrival.

The minister reiterated Khartoum's condemnation of the abduction of the two aid workers, saying "this is a crime. We will not tolerate those who committed it, and they will be brought to fair trials so that such shameful acts, which negatively affect the humanitarian conditions in Darfur, would not be repeated."

He further reiterated Khartoum's commitment to protect the humanitarian work and humanitarian workers in Darfur, explaining that the Sudanese government is working on a plan to protect aid workers in Darfur.

Al-Jailani described the abduction incidents against several humanitarian organizations' employees in Darfur as "individual acts," saying "what happened was a kind of criminal act of gangsters as the war in Darfur has ended."

During a press conference, the Ugandan ambassador to Khartoum, Betty Akech Okullu renewed her country's appreciation of the Sudanese government's efforts to ensure safety of the two hostages and their release without payment of any ransom.

She also sent a message to abductors in Darfur, saying "please stop such acts. I remind you that these humanitarian workers came to help your people in Darfur. They do not deserve this treatment which could force the humanitarian workers to stop working."

She further stressed her country's readiness to continue its support for the Sudanese government to reach a peaceful settlement for the crisis in Darfur, saying "my country is part of the joint UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur and it is ready to continue supporting Sudan and the Sudanese people."

The Irish ambassador to Khartoum, Gerard Corr, for his part, reiterated his country's welcome to the release of the two hostages, saying "we have come out of this ordeal with many useful lessons."

He noted that the ordeal has created a close relation between his country and Sudan and that they have gotten acquainted with the crisis in Darfur, adding that the issue of the hostages was a long dilemma that had ended, and that they were happy with it.

The Irish aid group GOAL has been operating in Sudan since 1984.Its programs focus on provision of water, health and education services. The organization currently operates in North Darfur State. Around 1,100 employees work for the organization, 50 of them are foreign staff.

The Irish aid worker, Sharon Commins, joined GOAL team in North Darfur State about a year and half ago, while the Ugandan Hilda Kawuki, has been working at the organization's office in north Darfur for two years.

The two aid workers were abducted when unidentified armed men raided the quarters of the Irish GOAL organization in Kutum, North Darfur State, on July 3. They were released on Sunday. The period of their abduction was the longest that any foreign hostage has had in captivity since the war broke out in Darfur in 2003.

The Sudanese government adopted the principle of negotiation with the abductors in consideration of the two hostages' personal safety, where the Sudanese authorities utilized the influence of the leaders of the local administration to persuade the abductors to free the two female hostages without payment of any ransom.

GOAL earlier issued a press release in which it's Executive Director, John O'Shea said the released Irish aid worker Sharon was "healthy."

"Sharon and Hilda have suffered a traumatic ordeal but they have had the strength and courage to come through it," the press release said.

Ameerah Haq, the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan, for her part was earlier reported to have welcomed, in a statement, the release of the two aid workers, and said that what happened was a reminder of the dangers faced by humanitarians working to help the people of Sudan, often in circumstances of considerable personal risk.

KINSHASA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 80 former Rwandan rebels and refugees have visited the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo ( MONUC), demanding repatriation to their country of origin, the mission reported on Sunday.

Members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which is linked to the 1994 Rwanda massacre, and their dependants visited the MONUC offices in Ntoto district, more than 100 km from Goma, the provincial capital of the eastern North Kivuprovince.

"The combatants hold various positions in FDLR in this region. As for the refugees, they are coming from the bush. All of them are camping here and awaiting repatriation," MONUC said in the capital Kinshasa after return from Goma on Saturday evening.

According to the MONUC civil protection team, the majority of the refugees are women, children and old people.

The mission also said some of the refugees are still worried about their safety after return, insisting on a guarantee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

LAGOS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Authority of Heads of State and Government of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has banned President Mamadou Tandja of Niger and his Guinean counterpart Moussa Camara from contesting elections in their countries, the regional bloc said.

The ban was contained in a communique issued at the conclusion of an extra ordinary summit convened by ECOWAS chairman and Nigeria's President Umaru Yar' Adua in the capital Abuja over the weekend.

The communique was read by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, president of the ECOWAS Commission, after a closed-door session of the leaders. It also called for immediate return to constitutionality in both countries.

ECOWAS condemned the referendum held in Niger on Aug. 4 to allow Tandja's participation in the presidential election, denouncing it as a violation of the ECOWAS supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance.

The regional leaders urged Tandja to suspend indefinitely the holding of legislative elections scheduled for Oct. 20 and to go into dialogue with the political parties over the matter.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf led a three-man delegation which also included Abdulsalami Abubakar and Chambas to deliver the message to Tandja on Oct. 18.

The summit threatened to impose full sanctions on Tandja as stipulated under article 45 of the supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance if he failed to comply with the decisions.

It, however, imposed a minor sanction on the country by refusing to support candidates from Niger seeking elective posts in international organizations.

It also resolved not to organize ECOWAS meetings in the country.

As regards Guinea, the summit called for a new authority to ensure a short and peaceful transition to constitutional order through credible, free and fair elections.

It reiterated its desire that Camara and members of his cabinet should not contest the presidential election billed to take place in January 2010.

The summit mandated Chambas to work with the African Union (AU)on a regime of targeted sanctions against individuals, who would pose a threat to the implementation of the transitional agenda.

An arms embargo was also imposed on Guinea under the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons to forestall further killings of innocent people.

Earlier, Yar'Adua lamented the deteriorating political and human rights situation in both countries, calling for a holistic approach to resolve the crises.

The heads of state from Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo attended the meeting, while the other leaders were represented.

LAGOS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Henry Okah is set to meet the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to defuse the threat by group to resume attacks on oil installations at the expiration of its ceasefire on Oct. 15.

The Lagos-based Guardian newspaper reported on Monday that the president was not comfortable with the advice of his men that a renewed military showdown with MEND or other militants would be the best solution to the new threats.

Jomo Gbomo, the group's spokesperson, said in a statement that the group resumes its hostilities against the Nigerian oil industry, the Nigerian armed forces and its collaborators.

Unlike other militant leaders, Okah did not meet with President Yar'Adua even after his release from prosecution.

The Nigerian government has been arming the military to be able to curtail any new threats in the difficult creeks of the Niger Delta where militancy had resulted in the country's oil production cut by over 1.3 million barrels a day.

The government has also been unwilling to negotiate with a five-man team which the main militant group in the oil-rich Niger Deltaregion named on Sept. 29 to take up its negotiation with the government.

The team, comprising two ex-military leaders and an academic, is to oversee a transparent and proper MEND disarmament process that conforms to international standards as the current disarmament process is flawed and lacks integrity.

Nigerian Minister of Defense Godwin Abbe had said the government would not extend the Oct. 4 deadline given to Niger Delta militants to surrender their arms and embrace its amnesty program.

Abbe warned the government would take decisive actions against the group immediately after the expiration of the deadline.

In June, the Nigerian government offered amnesty to gunmen in the oil rich Niger Delta region, urging them to lay down their weapons by Oct. 4 in a bid to end unrest which has cost Africa's top oil exporter billions of dollars in lost revenue.

Over 8,000 Nigerian armed youths gave up their weapons and embrace amnesty offered by the Nigerian government in the most concerted effort yet to end years of fighting in the oil-rich producing region.

The Niger Delta is an unstable area where inter-ethnic clashes are commonplace. Access to oil revenue is the trigger for the violence.

Over 300 foreigners have been seized in the Niger Delta since 2006. Almost all have been released unharmed after paying a ransom.

Attacks and bunkering on oil pipelines in the Niger Delta have cut Nigeria's output by around a fifth in recent years, helping push world oil prices to record highs since the beginning of 2006.

The unrest in the region has forced many international firms to flee the area. The government mobilized the Nigerian army and coast guard in an anti-banditry operation.

NOUAKCHOTT, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, speaking to the Saudi Arabian newspaper "Arriyad", voiced the firm commitment of Mauritania to continue fighting terrorism.

The infiltration by the Al-Qaeda terrorist group in Islamic Maghreb (AQMI) into Africa's sub-region has brought Mauritania to the anti-terror forefront. The country is holding about 60 terrorists in the Nouakchott central prison.

AQMI was linked to a suicide bomb explosion near the French Embassy in August in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott, the first of its kind in the country. Both France and the United States have promised aid to the countries in the region to fight the Al-Qaeda branch.

The Mauritanian president also said there is no relationship between frosty ties with Israel and the development process of his country.

"We do not have common economic interests with Israel and we do not share common borders at all. We have taken the decision to freeze the relations with this country because of clear objectives," he pointed out.

In March, Mauritania, one of the three Arab countries to have diplomatic relations with Israel and maintained the ties for more than a decade, ordered the Israeli ambassador to the northwest African country to leave within 48 hours.

Abdel Aziz declared a freeze on ties with Israel at a mini-summit of Arab countries held in Qatar in January, in protest against the 22-day-long Cast Lead Operation in Gaza, which ended on Jan. 18.

Responding to a question on the position of his country to the Western Sahara problem, Abdel Aziz said, "Mauritania will not intervene in the problem unless if it's a question of bringing the two different groups together."

On domestic issues, he said his government is working on a number of reform measures aimed at opening up the country for investment.

"These reforms that are still being formulated, are concerned mostly with issues of governance, strict management of public affairs and reforming of the judicial system," he noted.

NAIROBI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan authorities have denied media claims that 16 of its soldiers had been shot dead by Toposa militia along the Kenya-Sudan border over the weekend.

Department of Defense spokesman Bongita Ongeri said on Monday that all Kenyan troops along the border are safe and sound and that at no time have they come under any attack.

"We wish to categorically state that we have not had even a single incident of shooting involving our soldiers at that said common border. No incident of attack took place as reported in the media," Ongeri told Xinhua by telephone.

"We are in constant communication with our commanders in the field who have confirmed that no such incident took place near the border," he said.

The authorities said the Kenya security forces have been involved in an operation to flush out criminals along the Nadapal-Lokichogio highway who have been terrorizing motorists and local residents.

The Toposa who are based in eastern Equatoria near Sudan-Kenya border, have been living and grazing their animals on the Kenyan side of the border for some time.

They opposed the establishment of a Kenyan border position in the area. The tribesmen are also accused of being involved in arms trafficking into Ugandan territory.

In July, the Ugandan army killed eight Sudanese tribesmen saying they were trafficking in small arms.

"We wish to clarify that all our troops are safe and sound wherever they are deployed to perform national duties as stipulated in the constitution. As the case has been, service commanders are in constant touch with battalion commanders hence there is no cause for alarm," said Ongeri.

The remarks came as the east African nation has stepped up security near its border with Sudan after reports of clashes between police and Toposa pastoralists.

Police sources confirmed on Monday that a number of security forces engaged a combined force of Toposa militia for the second day running on Sunday.

They said scores of people have fled Nadapal area towards Lokichogio, some 25 kilometers away following the fight which began on Thursday.

The fighting is reported to have taken place at Nadapal, 5 kilometers inside Kenya. Some Kenya Army personnel are also said to be on the ground to give backing in case they are issued with orders.

RABAT, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The fourth National Amazigh Film Festival will be held in Moroccan city Ouarzazate during the period of 18-25 Oct. under the theme of "The Amazigh film, between specificity and continuity."

This year, the event will see the screening of feature length and short film production dedicated to reflecting the richness of the Amazigh (Berber) culture.

Aimed at attracting the public's interest in Amazigh artistic production, organizers will also screen films in the city's famous Taourirt Kasbah, in addition to other public places in the neighboring towns.

The festival will also see a host of debates discussing the screened films, as well as workshops for film criticism at the Institute of Cinema Professions in the city of Ouarzazate, which is located around 340 km southeast of Rabat.

KHARTOUM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan ambassador to Sudan said Sunday the release of two aid workers from the Irish aid group GOAL without paying a ransom was a positive matter and embodied a message.

"No ransom was paid. This is a good thing because it means that in the future, even if people are abducted, the abductors know that no ransom will be paid," said Ambassador Betty Akech Okullu in a press statement to Xinhua.

"This will protect other aid workers and help the Darfurians and the Sudanese people," she explained.

The Ugandan ambassador further praised Sudan government's efforts to free the two Irish and Ugandan hostages who have been abducted in Darfur since July.

The Sudanese government announced Sunday the release of the two abducted aid workers, the Irish Sharon Commins and the Ugandan Hilda Kawuki.

Earlier in the day, Abdul-Bagi al-Jailani, the Sudanese State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, said in a statement to Xinhua that the two hostages were released early Sunday, adding that both were in good condition and that they were on the way to al-Fashir hospital to receive necessary medical checkups.

"The two abducted aid workers were released due to the efforts of the central government, the government of North Darfur State and tribal leaders. After three months of negotiations with the abductors, the hostages were released without paying any ransom," he added.

The Sudanese minister further reiterated his country's commitment to protecting the humanitarian workers, affirming that the Sudanese authorities are working to bring the abductors to justice.

Unidentified armed men raided the quarters of the Irish GOAL organization in Kutum, North Darfur State, in July and abducted two female aid workers, who are Irish and Ugandan, and a Sudanese watchman, who was released shortly after the abduction.

KHARTOUM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Irish government on Sunday expressed appreciation over the efforts the Sudanese government has made to free two aid workers of the Irish aid group GOAL, who have been abducted in Darfur since July.

"We express our appreciation for the role the government of Sudan has played in the past three months to bring about this conclusion," said Irish Ambassador to Sudan Gerard Corr in a press statement to Xinhua.

"In Ireland, we wanted to see Sharon and Helda safely returned to their families and that has now happened, so our sense is great happiness and appreciation for the government of Sudan and the work that everybody has done," he added.

He said, "as the Irish ambassador in Khartoum, I have worked closely with the Sudanese authorities during the past three months and we are happy that the two aid workers have been released after a hundred days or so."

On Sunday, the Sudanese government announced the release of the two Irish and Ugandan aid workers, who have been abducted in Darfur since last July.

Earlier in the day, Abdul-Bagi al-Jailani, the Sudanese State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, said in a statement to Xinhua that the two hostages were released early Sunday, adding that both were in good condition and that they were on the way to El Fashir hospital to receive necessary medical checkups.

"The two abducted aid workers were released due to the efforts of the central government, the government of North Darfur State and tribal leaders. After three months of negotiations with the abductors, the hostages were released without paying any ransom," he added.

The Sudanese minister further reiterated his country's commitment to protecting humanitarian workers, affirming that the Sudanese authorities are working to bring the abductors to justice.

Unidentified armed men raided the quarters of the Irish GOAL organization in Kutum, North Darfur State, in July and abducted two female aid workers, who are Irish and Ugandan, and a Sudanese watchman, who was released shortly after the abduction.

KHARTOUM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government Sunday announced that the two aid workers from Irish aid group GOAL, who have been abducted in Darfur since July, have been released.

"The two hostages were released early Sunday and both are in good condition. They are now on the way to El Fashir hospital to receive necessary medical checkups," said Abdul-Bagi Al Jailani, the Sudanese State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, in a statement to Xinhua.

"The two abducted aid workers were released due to the efforts of the central government, the government of North Darfur State and tribal leaders. After three months of negotiations with the abductors, the hostages were released without paying any ransom," he added.

The minister expressed Sudan's appreciation of the stances of Ireland and Uganda, and their continuous cooperation and coordination with the Sudanese authorities. He also thanked the families of the abducted aid workers for their patience and cooperation with Khartoum.

The Sudanese minister further reiterated his country's commitment to protect the humanitarian workers, affirming that the Sudanese authorities are working to bring the abductors to justice.

Unidentified armed men raided the quarters of the Irish GOAL organization in Kutum, North Darfur State, in July and abducted two female aid workers, who are Irish and Ugandan, and a Sudanese watchman, who was released later.

LIBREVILLE, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A new and slimmed-down administration was formed in Gabon on Saturday, as announced in a presidential decree via television by Secretary General of the Gabonese Presidency Francois Engongah Owono.

Headed by Prime Minister Paul Biyoghe Mba, the new cabinet is composed of 30 ministers, 14 less compared with the last administration.

With 18 new faces, the Gabonese government has on one hand canceled the positions of vice prime minister and minister of state, and on the other hand merged several ministerial posts.

Paul Toungui and Jean Francois Ndongou remained Foreign Minister and Interior Minister respectively while Angelique Ngoma was transferred as the new defense minister who was the minister of family in the previous administration. No names of the opposition parties appeared on the list of cabinet members.

President-elect of the Gabonese Republic Ali Ben Bongo was sworn in as the third president of the central African country on Friday.

GABORONE, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's ruling party claimed victory in the Oct. 16 general elections on Saturday, according to reports from agencies.

President Ian Khama's Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in power since independence from Britain in 1966, said it had secured the required 29 of 57 constituencies needed to win the election, extending Khama's rule over the southern African country for another five years. reported Reuters.

Botswana, a southern African country of some two million people, has around 725,000 registered voters, while seven political parties and 15 independent candidates are competing for the nation's 57 constituencies.

Botswana is among the African continent's most stable countries, relatively free of corruption. It is also among the world's biggest diamond producers and protects some of the continent's largest areas of wilderness.

The country has maintained one of the world's highest growth rates since independence in 1966. It has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country. Diamond mining has fueled much of the economic expansion and currently accounts for about one-third of GDP.

However, Botswana has been hit very hard by the AIDS pandemic. It has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection. It is also one of the African countries with the most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

TUNIS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia, which imports most of its petroleum needs, targets to develop solar power capacity in order to diversify reliance on traditional sources of electricity generation, official TAP news agency reported on Saturday.

Tunisia expects to achieve 40 projects during 2010 to 2016 as it wants to be less dependent on oil and gas with 29 schemes to be financed by private sector, said the report without giving accurate figure on the value.

The projects would help the north African country to cut energy consumption by 22 percent in 2016 saving 660 tonnes of oil per year, it added.

Tunisia energy imports stood at 4.913 billion Tunisian dinars (3.862 billion U.S. dollars) in the previous year, up 64 percent from a year earlier.

The power demand in Tunisia grows 7 percent per year on fast growing economy which was at 5.1 percent last year, according to official data.

Tunisia eyes to develop renewable energy enough to be a world industrial and energetic hub producing and exporting notably solar power.

With the aim, the country has set in 2008 a four-year national plan aiming at improving production of renewable energy which forecasted to satisfy 4 percent of power demand in 2011.(1 USD = 1.272 Tunisian dinar)

HARARE, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Roy Bennett, a key figure in the current political standoff in Zimbabwe, was given more time pending a trial after prosecutors decided on Saturday to put it off until next week.

Bennett, an associate of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, was indicted on charges of terrorism and jailed this week before released on bail late Friday. He was accused of illegal possession of arms for terrorism.

Posecutors agreed to postpone the trial after Bennett's lawyers complained about short time for the legal case.

On Friday, Tsvangirai announced that ministers from his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party would no longer participate in Cabinet and Council of Ministers meetings until all outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement were resolved.

The inclusive government was formed in February by President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the MDC led by Tsvangirai. The coalition has since led to the improved market of basic commodities and renewed confidence in the country's economic performance.

Tsvangirai's announcement of partial withdrawal from the coalition is seen by some citizens as ominous. They fear that it could swing the country towards economic decay once again.

JUBA, Sudan, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Armed tribesman shot dead 16 Kenyan soldiers on the border between Kenya and Sudan, the spokesman for south Sudan's army said on Saturday, a claim Kenya denied.

Members of the Toposa tribe opened fire on the Kenyan army barracks in the settlement of Nadapal on Thursday and Friday, Kuol Deim Kuol told Reuters.

The settlement, inside Sudan on U.N. maps, is on a key crossing point and trade route between Sudan and Kenya. The surrounding territory has a long history of fighting between pastoralist groups and bandit attacks.

"According to the information we have the Toposa have killed 16 Kenyans ... including the commanding officer," he said.

"They (the Toposa) just came around the barracks and have been sniping from a distance ... We are really shocked by what is happening and we condemn the Toposa youth. These border issues with our friends should be solved amicably."

Kuol said the Toposa had earlier accused the Kenyan army of moving into their traditional territory by setting up the barracks in Nadapal.

"There is nothing. Even if anything had happened to our soldiers, we could have heard immediately. Those are rumours," Kenyan Department of Defence spokesman Bogita Ongeri told Reuters. (Reporting by Skye Wheeler; Writing by Andrew Heavens; Editing by Louise Ireland)

* Soccer ideal way to tell people how to fight malaria

* "United Against Malaria" campaign to launch in November

By Katie Reid

ZURICH, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Footballers are teaming up with governments, companies and international health campaigners to push for action against malaria ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

The "United Against Malaria" campaign, which will start next month and run until the end of the World Cup, has won the backing of singer Bono, actress Ashley Judd and philanthropist Melinda Gates, wife of Microsoft founder Bill.

Players such as U.S. captain Landon Donovan and the Ivory Coast team have already said they are behind the campaign, while other prominent footballers backing the movement will be revealed when the campaign is officially launched.

Malaria, which spreads through the bites from infected mosquitoes, kills nearly one million people a year, almost all in Africa where a child dies from the disease every 30 seconds.

The United Nations is trying to get universal access to diagnostic tests, mosquito nets and malaria medicine as part of its bid to cut the number of deaths to zero by 2015.

ABUJA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS on Saturday imposed an arms embargo against Guinea for human rights violations during anti-government protests last month.

"The summit expressed deep concern over the mass violation of human rights and humanitarian law in Guinea ... against unarmed women and civilians on 28 September 2009," said the communique of the Economic Community of West African States. The regional group also threatened to impose full sanctions against Niger if President Mamadou Tandja does not take immediate steps to resolve the country's political crisis.

* Khama secures re-election

* BDP gets majority in expected election win

* Recession, infighting represent challenges for BDP

By Serena Chaudhry

GABORONE, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Botswana's President Ian Khama secured a new five-year term, extending his rule over the world's largest diamond producer, after his governing BDP party swept to victory on Saturday in a parliamentary election.

Chief Justice Julian Nganunu said Khama, son of the country's first president, would remain at the helm of the southern African nation, which is battling a recession and hit by internal party squabbling.

"I have the honour and privilege to declare Ian Khama Botswana's president as his party has garnered more than enough seats," Chief Justice Julian Nganunu said on state radio.

The winning party needs to win 29 of the 57 parliamentary seats to select the president. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) -- in power since independence in 1966 -- had won 36 of the 57 constituencies with counting in 45 completed, according to official results.

* Parliamentary visit expected in next few weeks

* Families of IRA victims seeking compensation from Libya

By Tim Castle

LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Tripoli has invited a delegation of British parliamentarians to Libya to discuss the case of families of IRA victims who say Muammar Gaddafi's regime helped arm the guerrillas, lawyers for the families said on Friday.

"The delegation will meet with their counterparts in Libya to discuss the tragedy of the UK victims while proposing a way forward to resolve this matter," said London legal firm H20 Law.

Campaigners for Irish Republican Army (IRA) victims want compensation from Libyan leader Gaddafi, who they say shipped Semtex explosives in the 1980s and 1990s to paramilitaries fighting to end British rule of Northern Ireland.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said last month he supported the families' campaign.

He said British government officials would join the campaigners in meetings with Libyan officials to negotiate compensation.

By Allyn Fisher-Ilan

JERUSALEM, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a lengthy diplomatic battle to "delegitimise" United Nations charges that Israel committed war crimes in the Gaza Strip, an official said on Saturday.

The U.N. Human Rights Council singled out the Jewish state for censure in a resolution on Friday, while endorsing a report by South African jurist Richard Goldstone which condemned both Israeli and Hamas actions in a war last December and January.

Netanyahu, who has said the Goldstone report could undermine U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace moves and that he would object to Israelis standing trial for war crimes, was quoted as saying Israel would wage a protracted struggle against the criticism.

"Israel must delegitimise the delegitimisation," Netanyahu said, according to an Israeli official. He said the campaign "would not take just a week or two but possibly years".

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said on Friday that "Israel totally and completely" rejected the U.N. council's vote condemning Israel but not the Palestinian Islamist faction. However, Ayalon added that he thought Israel would not ultimately suffer any significant consequences.

Twenty-five states including China and Russia endorsed the resolution passed by the council meeting in Geneva, while six including the United States voted against, charging that the resolution was one-sided. Eleven states abstained. Four, including France and Britain, did not vote at all.

The resolution endorsed Goldstone's recommendation that the war crimes issue be referred to the U.N. Security Council if the sides failed to conduct credible domestic investigations within six months, and possibly then to the International Criminal Court.