GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Amid tight security and a sea of green and yellow flags, Palestinians cast ballots in their first parliament election in a decade today — a historic vote integrating Islamic militants into Palestinian politics and determining the future of peacemaking with Israel.

Both the ruling Fatah Party and its challenger, the Islamic militant Hamas, said they were confident of victory, while pollsters said the race was too close to call. Both parties said they would consider a coalition if no clear victor emerges.

"These elections will determine the fate of the Palestinian people," said Mohammed Shaabein, a 71-year-old retiree in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who voted in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said elections were proceeding smoothly, but complained of Israeli travel restrictions on West Bank roads. Israel had said it would ease checkpoints on voting day.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's president today warned Washington against pressuring North Korea to force the totalitarian regime's collapse, while the North kept up its demands that Washington lift financial sanctions.The North reiterated its vow to stay away from international nuclear disarmament talks until the U.S. lifts sanctions it recently imposed over allegations of Pyongyang's involvement in counterfeiting of U.S. currency and other illegal activities.Appearing at his annual New Year's news conference, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun avoided directly answering whether the South believes the North is engaged in counterfeiting, money laundering and drug trafficking, as Washington alleges.He said the matter required review and consideration of how measures are "related to efforts to resolve the nuclear issue and if that involves any intention to pressure North Korea's regime."But Roh said coercive steps were not the way to resolve the latest dispute over the North's nuclear ambitions, which erupted in late 2002 after U.S. officials accused Pyongyang of running a secret uranium enrichment program.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Thousands of activists marched through Venezuela's capital demanding an end to the war in Iraq and shouting slogans against U.S. imperialism at the opening of the World Social Forum backed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.Throngs of spirited protesters danced to drum beats as they waved banners and chanted "No to war! Peace is possible!" Roughly 80,000 people signed up to attend the forum, including tens of thousands from outside Venezuela, organizers said.Crowds flocked to a stage on the outskirts of a Caracas military base to hear a speech by American peace activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq."We need to bring our troops home immediately," Sheehan told the crowd to a rousing applause.