State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell cited "Iran's destructive behavior in Syria, " a reference to its support for the government's fierce offensive against its opponents.

CNN: Annan: Iran has 'role to play' for Syrian peace

Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac was a fierce critic of the 2003 military offensive that toppled Saddam Hussein.

CNN: France's Sarkozy in Iraq to rebuild ties

With so much to play for Alan Pardew's side were quickly on the offensive, Shaun Newton's fierce drive from the edge of Watford's penalty box fizzing inches wide after just four minutes.

BBC: 1st leg: 14 May (1215 BST)

In a fierce resurgence of their war, Ethiopian forces launched an offensive into Eritrea .

ECONOMIST: Rebel held

Meanwhile, at least 30 Pakistani soldiers and nearly 100 militants have been killed in fierce fighting in a remote, northwest valley over the past four days following a ground offensive launched by the army, military officials said Monday.

WSJ: Pakistan Court Orders Musharraf to Respond

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani forces have killed 24 suspected militants in a fierce gunbattle in the lawless region bordering Afghanistan, as U.S. forces prepare for a spring offensive against al Qaeda and Taliban fighters from the Afghan side.

CNN: Fierce battle in al Qaeda hunt