PHNOM PENH: United Nations proposals for Khmer Rouge leaders to face an international tribunal looked set to be shelved on Friday following a Cambodian government rejection of anything but a domestic court. UN rights envoy Thomas Hammarberg said Premier Hun Sen had cemented plans to to have rebel leader Ta Mok tried by the local judiciary, ruling out the compromise option of a tribunal ``international in character''.Earlier this week, Hammarberg said the international community was likely to wash its hands of Cambodia unless a tribunal that meets strict standards was agreed to. But on Thursday, Hun Sen issued a letter stating Ta Mok would be tried in a domestic court, with the level of foreign assistance and question of charges against other rebel leaders decided by that court.

Anwar awaits verdict

ALOR STAR (MALAYSIA): Thousands of people attended an opposition rally in Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's hometown as his ex-deputy AnwarIbrahim awaited the verdict in his corruption trial. Amid a downpour on Thursday, up to 20,000 people sat in a muddy field to hear speakers led by Anwar's wife Azizah in a village in Alor Star, capital of the state of Kedah, witnesses said. ``I am trying to brace my children for a possible conviction,'' she told the rally. A verdict is expected on April 6. The rally was staged by the opposition Parti Islam Semalaysia in response to a Mahathir-led gathering here last week. The Mahathir rally lambasted political opponents, accusing them of being manipulated by foreign powers.