Publication of the first images of convalescing Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in a Paris hospital has failed to reassure the country's media, with many commenting Thursday on his weak health.

"Bouteflika greatly weakened by the illness," ran the headline of French-language daily El Watan.

U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon is in exploratory talks with Sweden over plans it could lead a beefed-up peacekeeping force between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, an Israeli official said on Thursday.

"It's in very preliminary stages," he told Agence France Presse on condition of anonymity.

Israel is seeking approval for hundreds of settler homes in the northern West Bank settlements of Itamar and Bruchin, Israel media reported on Thursday.

The Jerusalem Post said that plans to build 538 new homes in Itamar and legalize 137 existing units were submitted to regional planning authorities this week.

Nine months after the U.S. ambassador to Libya was killed in an attack, Secretary of State John Kerry has sworn in a new envoy, vowing she would play a key role as the country moves toward democracy.

Long-time diplomat Deborah Jones took the oath of office on Tuesday to replace Chris Stevens in a ceremony at the State Department.

Ousted president Hosni Mubarak, his wife and one of their sons are to return gifts worth a total of $600,000 (450,000 euros) to Egypt's former information minister, a judicial source said on Wednesday.

The source, quoted by state news agency MENA, said the prosecutor's office accepted a proposal from the Mubaraks to return the gifts and Gamal Mubarak had signed the necessary paperwork.

The United States eased restrictions on trade with Syria's opposition Wednesday, in a move aimed at helping supply the critical needs of Syrians in "liberated areas."

The new waivers to general sanctions on the country allow companies to supply software, technology, reconstruction and power generation equipment, as well as farm and food production equipment, to opposition-controlled areas.

Britain and its allies must be "prepared to do more" to save innocent lives in Syria, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday after talks with his U.S. counterpart John Kerry.

"The UK believes that the situation demands a strong, coordinated, and determined approach by us... and our allies," Hague told a joint press conference in Washington, adding he had no new announcements on whether Britain would be sending arms to the Syrian opposition.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon leaves on Wednesday for talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, his first visit to Washington since taking office in March, the ministry said.

"During the visit the two men are expected to discuss current security, diplomatic and regional issues," it said.

Egyptian Islamist parties, including the president's, on Wednesday called for a "million-man march" on June 21 to counter a planned protest at the end of the month outside the presidential palace.

"Islamist parties have decided to organize a 'million-man march' in front of Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque (in a Cairo suburb) on Friday, June 21, under the slogan: 'Protect the revolution. Yes to peace, no to violence'," said President Mohamed Morsi's Freedom and Justice Party, political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, on its website.

U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for better protection for peacekeepers in the Golan Heights against the growing threat from Syria but said it was "essential" that the mission remain.

Ban made the call as Austrian troops started withdrawing from the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) following attacks and abductions of peacekeepers. Croatia and Japan have also withdrawn in recent months.