World briefs 5/6/04

Three bombs explode in Athens within half hour

ATHENS, Greece -- Three bombs exploded outside a police station Wednesday in a series of timed blasts, causing serious damage and rattling security forces just 100 days before the Olympic Games. No injuries were reported. The pre-dawn explosions, which occurred within a half hour, came before events to mark the final stretch to the Aug. 13-29 Olympics. An anonymous caller to an Athens newspaper warned of the attacks about 10 minutes in advance, but gave no motive or claim of responsibility.

Judge orders release of Madrid bombing suspects

MADRID, Spain -- The judge leading the probe into the Madrid terror bombings has released three Moroccan suspects, including the only woman charged in the case so far, court officials said Wednesday. National Court judge Juan del Olmo allowed Naima Oulad Akcha, Faisal Allouch and Abdelouahid Berrak to leave prison but ordered them to report to the courthouse daily. The three are charged with collaboration with a terror group because of their links with prime suspects in the bombings.

Israeli warplanes attack Hezbollah in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Israeli warplanes fired missiles at a suspected guerrilla hideout in south Lebanon on Wednesday, shortly after Hezbollah gunners fired on Israeli jets, security officials said. The Lebanese officials in southern Lebanon said two Israeli fighter jets fired a total of four missiles at a valley near the village of Zibqine, seven miles southeast of the port city of Tyre and four miles north of the Israeli border.

-- From wire reports