Members of Hezbollah's military wing are reported to have been fighting for month alongside the Syrian army and the National Defence Forces, a pro-government militia allegedly set up and trained by Iran, as they gradually advanced on Qusair and surrounded it.

BBC: Hezbollah 'perpetuating Assad's campaign of terror'

The exclusion of a breakaway Hutu opposition alliance called the National Council for the Defence of Democracy and the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) has been considered a reason for the failure of talks so far.

BBC: New peace talks for Burundi

He has used his calm skills to tread a careful line on such controversial issues as the EU Rapid Reaction Force and British participation in National Missile Defence, as well as overseeing British forces in military action in Afghanistan.

BBC: Geoff Hoon

Tensions persist within the newly integrated forces of the Congolese army, which include a powerful Tutsi militia, called the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), that may retain its old command structure inside Congo's army.

ECONOMIST: Strife in eastern Congo