· Def. Sec. Gates: Afghanistan is "Litmus Test" for NATO

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Monday that Afghanistan is a "litmus test" for NATO and would be "a mark of shame on all of us" if the alliance falters in laying the foundations for democracy there.

Gates referred to the situation in Afghanistan as well as in Iraq in a speech that argued for realism in advancing US values of democracy and freedom around the world.

· French PM Says Everything Must Be Done to Avoid War With Iran

ANGOULEME, France (Reuters) - Everything must be done to avoid the prospect of war with Iran, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Monday, a day after his foreign minister said Paris should prepare for that possibility.

The United States, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China have backed two rounds of U.N. sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment and other sensitive work that could be used to make nuclear weapons.

Washington is leading a drive in the Security Council for a third sanctions resolution to punish Iran for enrichment, and White House spokesman Dana Perino said the United States was looking for a diplomatic solution.

• Gen. Abizaid: World could abide nuclear-armed regime in Iran

WASHINGTON - Every effort should be made to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but failing that, the world could live with a nuclear-armed regime in Tehran, a recently retired commander of US forces in the Middle East said Monday.