Mass grave of 1,270 found in Libya

Moscow: A mass grave containing the bodies of over 1,270 people killed by Muammar Gaddafi's forces has been found near Abu Salim prison in Tripoli, local media reported on Sunday.

"We are dealing with more than 1,270 martyrs and must distinguish each one from the other for identification by comparing their DNA with family members," a medical official Osman Abdul Jalil said.

The massacre in Abu Salim prison started June 28, 1996. The prisoners were unhappy with the conditions of detention and restrictions on meetings with relatives. The revolt was brutally put down June 29. Human rights groups said some 2,000 inmates were killed.

Massive demonstrations against longtime leader Gaddafi broke out in Libya in mid-February. The international NATO-led military operation began March 19 following a UN resolution on "targeted measures" to protect civilians.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) agreed on the makeup of an interim cabinet on Monday. NTC current chief Mahmoud Jibril has been named interim prime minister.

'India to stay client No 1 for Russian arms industry'

Moscow: India continues to be Russia's largest strategic partner in military-technical cooperation, the head of Russian state arms exporter has said.

"India, China, Algeria, Vietnam and Venezuela are our leading partners," CEO of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin told the Kommersant daily, adding that India is "client No.1" for Russia "for years ahead."

He underscored that under the long term military- technical cooperation programme Russia is taking part in various projects, which include joint R&D and joint production.

Isaikin said Russia was currently bidding for 20 tenders floated by India. "Winning at least half of these tenders is huge luck for any state."

He, however, said that failure of MiG-35 in MMRCA tender was "extremely unpleasant and sensitive" for Russia.

Isaikin expressed confidence that Moscow will retain its leading position in the Indian arms market in spite of entry of new players like the US.

Putin, Merkel, Gates nominated for Chinese peace prize

Moscow: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have been nominated for the Confucius Peace Prize, China's equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Confucius Peace Prize started in 2010, when it was announced just before jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Other candidates for this year include South African President Jacob Zuma and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, Chinese news portal sina.com said Saturday.

In July, Berlin-based organisation Werkstatt Deutschland announced plans to give Putin the Quadriga Award as a "role model for enlightenment, dedication and the public good".

The plan came under attack in the media and the political community. Many German public figures protested the idea, saying Putin's human rights record made him an unacceptable candidate.

Putin served with the KGB in East Germany for five years until German reunification in 1990.

Later, the organisation reversed its decision to award Putin the prestigious prize.

President Dmitry Medvedev later blasted the German organisation for reversing its earlier decision.