Iraq's civilian areas hit:

aim * ionti staged 58 air ratals on Iraqi residential and civilian areas this afternoon and fired several missiles. according to a military communique carried by the Iraqi news agency in Nicosia, reports AFP.

"Some of the raids originated from bases In Turkey and there were three violations of Iranian airspace by American aircraft trying to attack elites tn eastern regions of Iraq.' the agency said in a dispatch.

A military spokesman on Wednesday also said an Allied plane had mounted an attack from the east, suggesting that the aircraft had down through Iranian airspace on the mission.

Iran has declared Itself neutral in the war between Iraq and US- led coalition trying to force it out of Kuwait.

Saddam's aide in Tehran:

a.^ aide to Iraqi ktrdcr Saddam Hussein arrived Thursday in Iran, saying he would brief Tehran rulers on the war "the United Stales imposed dn Iraq.' Iran's official media reported. Reports Al* from Nicosia.

Tehran Radio later announced that Francois Scheer, secretary general nt the French Foreign Ministry, also had arrived for talks on the Oulf.

In Paris, French Foreign Ministry sources said Scheer would not lake pari tn peace talks or meet with the Iraqi offi dial.

Scheer went to Tehran to "exchange views’ and "maintain contacts," foreign ministry spokesman Daniel Bernard had said.

He docs not have a "mandate to discuss new peace Initiatives." a ministry source said la|cr.

"A solution cannot be envisioned as long as Kuwait is occupied." French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas said.

UN rejects debate on truce:

The Security Council has rejected an attempt by some Arab States to open a UN debate on n possible cease-fire in the Gulf War. reports AP from United Nations.

US Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering said council members do not foresee taking further action "until (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein Indicates that he's ready to comply with the resolutions." UN resolutions demand that Iraq withdraw Ils troops from Kuwait and restore the Emirate's government.

At the request of Libya. Algeria. Morocco. Mauritania, Tunisia, and Sudan, council members Cuba and Yemen have •tried for over a week to open a debate on the Gulf conflict.

The North African nations have been circulating a proposal to have the council declare a cease-fire so Saddam can withdraw his troops in peace, while Arab peacekeepers take their place. The 28-nations Allied coalition would also be required to withdraw its troops.

Saddam, however, has shown no Inclination to move his army out of Kuwait.

Cuba nnd Yemen have voted against several council rcsolu lions, including the one authorizing military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

Allied coalition flags burned:

it™ of thousands of Muslim fundamentalists burned the flags of the nalfons allied against Iraq on Thursday to cries of "God is great". In another protest, hundreds of while-coated doctors rallied to protest the "massacres" of Gulf war, reports AP.

The fundamentalists marched peacefully in the rain through Algiers, demonstrating for a Jihad', or holy war side-by-side with Iraq. They also chastised Algerian President Chadll Bendjedid for refusing to allow pro-lraql volunteer training camps.

Meanwhile, doctors carrying signs reading "Yea to life, no to death' condemned alleged 'massacres' of Iraqis from bombardments by the multinational coalition.

The doctors asked the United Nations to conduct itself "like a peace, not a war organisation- and called on the World Health Organization to move to end what they called civilian.

The fundamentalists, a rising political force, denied charges they wanted to use training camps to, take power by force.

Both marches were peaceful. Pro-lraql demonstrations have become a common qfcurrcncc in this North African nation.

Cultural centre set afire:

a previously unknown Muslim fundamentalist group broke into the French Cultural Centre overnight and started a small fire, police reported Thursday, reports AP.

A senior police officer, who cannot be named understanding regulations tn Amman said the blaze was reported shortly before midnight (2200 GMT) Wednesday.

There were signs that the perpetrators broke into the center from the back door, soaked the place with gasoline and set the place on fire, " he said.

Damage consisted of a "few desks, book shelves as well as the carpels In the library room." he added.

French Embassy Spokesman Scncmaud said a previously unknown Muslim radical group, the Jihad Brigades, claimed responsibility in a telephone call.

The anonymous caller did not give any reason for the attack, Scncmaud said.

. However.ihc fire was believed to be linked with calls by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and many Islamic fundamcn tails! leaders in the Arab world for attacks against the interests of the countries participating in the US-led coalition massed against Iraq.

US bid to attack Iraq from Iran:

Iraq on Thursday said US combat aircraft overflew Iran to attack Iraqi cities,- reports Reuter.

Baghdad radio, quoting the latest military communique, number 33, said: "Three violations to Iranian airspace occupied by the Atheist American planes in an attempt to attack our cities from the eastern part of the country."

It said. Iraqi ground and air defences shot down 13 Allied planes and missiles during 58 raids mounted by Its enemies on Thursday.

Jackson wants to meet Saddam:

US black civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said on Thursday that' he is willing to meet with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to seek the release of Allied prisoners of war, reports Reuter.

"I will do whatever I can to seek the release of the POWs. up to and including going there if the opportunity presents itself," Jackson said during a visit to Chicago.

Jackson, who unsuccessfully sought the democratic nomination for the US presidency in 1988 and 1984. said he on Monday met the Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations. Abdul Amir AL-Anbari.

Tremor strikes Afghanistan:

a moderate earthquake struck Afghanistan early Friday but wasn't expected to have caused much damage, a geophysicist said, reports AP from Golden Colorado.

The qunkc hit at 4:04 am (2304 GMT Thursday) and was centered near the border with Pakistan and the Soviet Union, said Russ Needham, a geophysicist with the National Earthquake Information Center.

Needham said, the tremor measured 6.6 on the Richter Seale.

"It was very deep, so ft probably was felt throughout the area, but I wouldn't expect much damage," Needham said, That's a fairly sparsely populated area."

Its epicenter was about 190 miles (305 kilometers) northwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, and an equal distance north of Peshawar. Pakistan.

No Immediate report of damage or injuries were available.

The Richter scale is a measure of ground motion as recorded on seismographs. Every Increase of one number means a tenfold increase In magnitude. An earthquake of 6