WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The United States' security commitments will not allow it join an international effort to a ban land mines, the State Department said.

CARACAS, Venezuela, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. assurances that its military operations in Colombia are not part of a wider agenda on Latin American domination have left Venezuela unmoved as Caracas struggles to balance a domestic power crisis with a strident populist foreign policy.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Washington recognizes Afghan President Hamid Karzai as the legitimately elected president of the country, a U.S. State Department spokesman said.

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Honduran interim government authorities are preparing for the arrival of an Obama administration mediation team amid fears a prolonged stalemate will pile up pressure on the economy and deepen the effects of aid suspension and diplomatic isolation.

TUNIS, Tunisia, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Tunisia's incumbent President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali won re-election by a landslide amid protests from activists but plaudits from neighbors and allies, including a warm telephone call from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Washington expressed its appreciation for Russia's agreement to allow material to pass through its territory in support of the effort in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The United States says any talks with North Korea should lead to "complete and verifiable denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will discuss arms cuts when she visits Moscow during a seven-day trip to Europe, a State Department spokesman said.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited Washington ahead of the 5 plus 1 nuclear talks in Geneva to meet with the Iranian Interests Section at Pakistan's Embassy, U.S. officials said.