Madrid - Spain has invited the Czech Republic to form part of its delegation to Saturday's economic summit in Washington, government sources said Friday.

The invitation will allow Marek Mora, a deputy for the Czech vice-premier for European affairs, to attend plenary sessions, the sources said.

Spain found the Czech presence important given that Prague will hold the European Union presidency in the first half of 2009, the sources explained.

Mora was also due to attend the summit as an observer with the French delegation.

Madrid  - The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the militant Basque separatist group ETA held meetings in Colombia, exchanging information about combat tactics, the Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported Thursday.

The two organizations met at least three times, Cadena Ser said, quoting documents seized from ETA by Spanish police.

Rotterdam- ­ Former world leaders meeting in the Dutch city of Rotterdam this week have urged the leaders of the G20 who will meet in Washington next week, to reform the world's existing financial system.

A statement released on Thursday by the General Assembly of the Club of Madrid said in-depth reform of the global financial architecture" is needed.

Madrid- Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee in the United States, the club said Thursday.

The loss of the Dutch striker is a further blow to the club's embattled German coach Bernd Schuster.

Van Nistelrooy, 32, was treated by knee specialist Richard Steadman, who had already operated on the striker's right knee in 2000.

He will be out of action for between six to nine months, depending on how the knee recovers, the club said.