World News in Brief: February 11

* US media reported on February 10 that a top commander has said that the United States would likely start to withdraw its troops from Syria in weeks.

* The 32nd African Union (AU) summit of heads of state and government opened on February 10 at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

* The Australian government has signed a key contract with French shipbuilder Naval Group for the nation's Future Submarine program. The AUD50-billion (US$35.5 billion) contract will see Naval Group design and build 12 new attack class submarines for the Australian Navy, with the first to be battle-ready as early as 2034.

* Prime Minister of Iraq Adel Abdul Mahdi on February 10 said that solving river water pollution issue is a priority for the new government, calling on exploiting rainfall water to increase reserves.

* US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will lead an interagency delegation to Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan and Pakistan from Feb. 10 to 28, US State Department said on February 10.

* Iran is ready to boost the capacity of its uranium enrichment, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said on February 10.

* The New Zealand government said on February 10 it will prohibit smoking in cars with children for protecting children's health.

* Afghan security forces have stepped up pressure on Taliban outfit in the northern provinces as 10 militants have been killed and 12 others captured in a single day on February 10, officials said.

* At least 10 people were killed and 11 others injured in road accidents in Mongolia during the Lunar New Year holiday, known locally as the "White Moon," local media reported Monday.