Oscar Arias Sanchez, president of the unarmed state of Costa Rica, called on Wednesday for a global reduction of military spending as a matter of international security.

The Security Council later adopted a non-binding resolution inviting other countries to follow this path.

Oscar Arias Sanchez, president of the unarmed state of Costa Rica, called on Wednesday for a global reduction of military spending as a matter of international security.

The Bush administration turned to Congress Wednesday to mount a defense of a landmark agreement with Iraq that calls for the withdrawal of all US forces by the end of 2011.

The United States on Wednesday expressed confidence that Iraqi lawmakers will approve a controversial military pact that allows US troops to remain in Iraq until the end of 2011.

`We think we`re on a good trajectory right now,` said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, who dismissed talk that Washington is working on a contingency plan if the Iraqi parliament rejects the agreement.

Pakistan`s army chief vowed Wednesday to keep NATO`s supply line to Afghanistan open and reaffirmed support for the military alliance`s mission there, a senior NATO officer said.

Sunni and Shiite Arabs demonstrated in four Iraqi cities on Wednesday in support of a US military pact that would allow troops to remain in Iraq for another three years.

Lawmakers loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr shouted down the Iraqi parliament`s second reading on Wednesday of a military pact allowing US troops to remain until 2011.

The agreement, approved by the cabinet on Sunday, has been fiercely criticised by the Sadrists, who oppose any deal with the US `occupier` and have vowed to derail it.

Lawmakers loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr shouted down the Iraqi parliament`s second reading on Wednesday of a military pact allowing US troops to remain until 2011.

The agreement, approved by the cabinet on Sunday, has been fiercely criticised by the Sadrists, who oppose any deal with the US `occupier` and have vowed to derail it.

An Indian warship has destroyed a pirate `mother vessel` after a battle off the coast of Somalia, officials said Wednesday.

Navy spokesman Nirad Sinha said a stealth frigate, the INS Tabar, open fire on the ship in the Gulf of Aden late Tuesday after coming under attack from gunmen on board the vessel.

An Indian warship has destroyed a pirate `mother vessel` after a battle off the coast of Somalia, officials said Wednesday.

Navy spokesman Nirad Sinha said a stealth frigate, the INS Tabar, open fire on the ship in the Gulf of Aden late Tuesday after coming under attack from gunmen on board the vessel.