In other news, Israel has dismissed UN Secretary General Koffi Annan’s call for a joint investigation into the deadly Israeli air bombing of a UN base. The UN says it wants to be part of a probe into Tuesday’s strike, which killed four international observers. Koffi Annan has accused Israel of deliberately attacking the base. According to UN officials, Israel was asked a dozen times to stop firing on the observers. In total, Israel launched more than twenty strikes around the base. The bombing continued even as rescuers tried to save the victims. Israel denies the attack was intentional. There is concern the bombing will lead to the withdrawal of international monitors and aid workers. On Thursday, the Australian government said it was withdrawing a dozen specialists who were helping with evacuation efforts in south Lebanon.