Morning Brief: Zardari folds

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As a massive convoy of protesters led by ousted opposition leader Nawaz Sharif rolled toward Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari bowed to political pressure and agreed to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry. The independent-minded Chaudry's removal was a key event in the downfall of former leader Pervez Musharraf, but his reinstatement had been blocked by Zardari despite campaign pledges to reinstate him.

Sharif has now called off the protest and planned sit-in. Zardari had earlier tried to have Sharif placed under house arrest in Lahore, but he and his supporter managed to break free and reach the center of town with little police resistance. The security breakdown was a major blow to Zardari's authority.

“This is a prelude to a revolution,” the victorious Sharif told reporters.

Middle East

Former President Mohammed Khatami withdrew from Iran's presidential election. It is not yet clear which opposition candidate he will endorse.

Benjamin Netanyahu signed a coalition agreement with the far-right party Yisrael Beitenu making it likely that controversial politician Avigdor Lieberman will become foreign minister.

Lebanon has opened its first ever embassy in Syria.

Africa

Madagascar's opposition leader has asked security forces to arrest the country's president. A coup may now be underway.

President Omar al Bashir has ordered international groups to stop delivering aid in Sudan.

Pope Benedict XVI will embark this week on his first trip to Africa, where church attendance is booming. 

Americas

Former left-wing guerilla party FMLN won El Salvador's presidential election. 

Venezuela's Hugo Chavez ordered his navy to take over seaports in petroleum exporting regions.

U.S. Treasury investigators are trying to determine if more bailout funds would help struggling General motors.

Asia

North Korea has been opening and closing its southern border, seemingly at random.

Eleven were killed by a suicide bomber in Southern Afghanistan.

Taiwan is reducing the size of its military in response to better relations with mainland China.

Europe

European markets continued to rise after a positive earnings report from British bank Barclays.

Police are holding nine IRA dissidents in connection with this month's attacks in Northern Ireland.

Serbia is seeking an emergency IMF loan.

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images