HARARE (Zimbabwe) - PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe fired back at the top US envoy for Africa on Friday, saying Zimbabwe 'will never collapse' after she warned that the world should act urgently to keep it from deteriorating into further chaos.

Jendayi Frazer, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said on Thursday that questions about how much longer Zimbabwe can withstand hunger, disease and political stalemate before disintegrating ignore that 'there is a complete collapse right now.'

ATHENS - RIOTING youths attacked the French Institute in Athens with firebombs on Friday as Greek police braced for more protests a day after extensive clashes between demonstrators and riot police.

Some windows of the French Institute, a cultural and language learning center, were smashed but the interior was not seriously damaged in the attack by about 20 youths, police said. A nearby bank ATM was also damaged. No injuries were reported.

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush holds a final meeting on Friday with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas before leaving office after militants from the rival Hamas movement renounced a truce with Israel.

The meeting at midday (2.15am Singapore time) follows talks between Abbas and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice late on Thursday and comes with Mr Bush set to end his term in office next month without having secured a Middle East peace deal.