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Lawyers opposed to Gen. Pervez Musharraf's candidacy in next week's presidential election engaged in running battles with police Saturday in Islamabad.

This week brought the deadliest fighting in Pakistan's tribal belt for years. The tribal people living in the in the mountains of Waziristan have been caught in the middle of the conflict, which has links to the war in neighboring Afghanistan.

In Pakistan, opposition leader Benazir Bhutto threatened to launch more protests if President Gen. Pervez Musharraf doesn't meet her demands. Musharraf declared emergency rule this weekend. Pakistanis say a state of fear is gripping the country.

A bomb explodes outside a police station in southwestern Baghdad, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens more. The bombing comes as Iraq's new interim government tries to work out differences with opposition groups and stem insurgent attacks. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Yousef Raza Gilani orders the release of deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry from house arrest Monday, prompting speculation that the Pakistan's supreme court may be reinstated. The move deals a blow to President Pervez Musharraf.

In the wake of last week's parliamentary election in which his party was soundly defeated, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf faces growing pressure to resign. That pressure is also touching Washington, which has hoped to keep Musharraf in place as a key ally in the war on terrorism.

Pakistanis headed to the polls on Monday for much-anticipated parliamentary elections that were delayed after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December. But fears of violence may have kept some from voting.

Elections in Pakistan have been postponed for six weeks. The country's election commission announced Wednesday that they'll be on Feb. 18. President Pervez Musharraf defended the decision in a nationwide television address and announced that experts from Britain's Scotland Yard will help investigate Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

Political leaders in Pakistan are looking for a new president. Pervez Musharraf stepped down Monday to avoid being impeached. The Bush administration — which saw Musharraf as an important ally — is watching the search for a replacement closely. On the streets of Pakistan's cities, though, reaction to his departure is mixed.

Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says Afghan and U.S. forces foiled an attempt by the Taliban to blow up a dam on the eve of national elections. U.S. officials have not confirmed the plot against the dam in the southwestern part of Afghanistan. Afghan authorities say 20 people were arrested after a three-hour gun battle.