LITTLE ROCK — QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Neither side can allow itself to rely on

a military solution to the conflict, because it’s a road to

nowhere, a road to mutual destruction of the people.”Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,

who said the Kremlin

and the Arab League are attempting to broker

talks between Syria’s government and rebels to resolve the country’s civil war Article, 5ABenedict studies faster succession

VATICAN CITY - A week ahead of his expected resignation, Pope Benedict XVI is considering changing the rules for the election of his successor, potentially letting the process start sooner, the Vatican said Wednesday.

Church law states that cardinals should wait 15 days after the papacy becomes vacant before starting a conclave to elect a new pope so that the cardinals eligible to vote have enough time to travel to Rome.

But because Benedict announced Feb. 11 that he would step down Feb. 28, many of the 117 cardinals have already begun traveling to Rome, where they will attend Benedict’s last public audience as pope next Wednesday and his final farewell to cardinals Feb. 28.

Bulgarian premier offers resignation

Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of Bulgaria submitted his government’s resignation Wednesday after a week of public anger over rising electricity prices, corruption and austerity measures that ignited mass protests and led to bloody clashes with police Tuesday night.

The speaker of the Parliament, Tsetska Tsacheva, said she had received the official letter of resignation, but it would not take effect until legislators vote on it today.

The mass protests were triggered by electricity price increases and corruption scandals, including one over the nominee to head the state electricity regulatory commission, which sets rates. Her nomination was later withdrawn.

Protests in cities around the country began Sunday night. Trying to appease the protesters, the prime minister said Tuesday that the license of the Czech utility CEZ, which provides power to many residential customers in Bulgaria, would be withdrawn.

Top Kenya justice

alleges threats

NAIROBI, Kenya - Days before Kenya’s national election, the country’s chief justice said Wednesday that he had received a threatening letter warning of dire consequences if the judiciary doesn’t allow a top candidate indicted by the International Criminal Court to run.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga also revealed that an immigration officer at Nairobi’s airport tried to prevent him from traveling to Tanzania on Tuesday in what Mutunga said was likely a political act.

Kenyans goes to the ballot box March 4 for the first time since a flawed presidential election in late 2007 devolved into mass violence that killed more than 1,000 people.

A letter dated Feb. 13 addressed to judges and ambassadors said the judiciary should not prevent Uhuru Kenyatta - one of the two top candidates for president - from running for office.

Kenyatta, the deputy prime minister, faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in violence after the 2007 election.

Front Section, Pages 5 on 02/21/2013