North Korea moves rocket into position.

North Korea moves rocket into position for launch

Pyongyang vows to go ahead with launch of what it says is a satellite, but US fears is a disguised long-range missile test.

North Korea has moved three stages of a long-range rocket into position for a controversial launch in defiance of international warnings against violating a ban on missile activity.

Foreign news agencies were allowed a firsthand look at preparations under way at the coastal Sohae satellite station in north-western North Korea.

North Korea announced plans last month to launch an observation satellite during mid-April celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder Kim Il Sung. The US, Japan, Britain and other nations have urged North Korea to cancel the launch, warning that firing the long-range rocket would violate UN resolutions and Pyongyang's promise to refrain from engaging in nuclear and missile activity.

North Korea say that the launch is a intended to improve the nation's faltering economy by providing detailed surveys of the countryside.

"Our country has the right and also the obligation to develop satellites and launching vehicles," Jang Myong Jin, general manager of the launch facility. "No matter what others say, we are doing this for peaceful purposes." Read More

Syria: We will not Pull our Troops and Allow "armed terrorist groups" commit attacks,

(CNN) -- Syria will not commit to pulling armed forces from cities only to have "armed terrorist groups" commit attacks, a Syrian foreign ministry spokesman said Sunday as opposition activists reported more than 30 deaths in the restive nation.

The comments, made by Jihad Maqdisi on state-run TV, came two days before a Tuesday deadline for regime forces to withdraw from cities, which the government had agreed to as part of a peace plan laid out by U.N.-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan.

But "Annan did not give written assurances that the armed groups would turn in their weapons," Makdissi said.

Annan has said he expects rebel fighters to also cease fire after the Tuesday deadline, but the deadline itself was for regime forces to withdraw from cities. Read More