MOSCOW — Vladimir Putin on Saturday agreed to run for the Russian presidency in 2012, almost certainly ensuring his return to the office he previously held for eight years and likely foreshadowing more years of strongman rule. His United Russia party also approved his proposal that the current President Dmitry Medvedev take over Putin's role as prime minister.

Putin ruled Russia as president from 2000-2008 with a steely command that was widely criticized in the West as a retreat from democracy. Because constitutional changes have extended the presidential term to six years from four, Putin's power is likely to be even more enhanced.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's foreign minister on Saturday warned the United States against sending ground troops to her country to fight an Afghan militant group that America alleges is used as a proxy by Pakistan's top intelligence agency for attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.The U.S. Embassy said Gen. James Mattis, head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Pakistan late Friday, and that he would meet the army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.Ties between Islamabad and Washington are in crisis after American officials stepped up accusations that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence was aiding insurgents in neighboring Afghanistan.

ERFURT, Germany — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass with some 30,000 people early Saturday, unhindered by an incident on the edge of the security zone in which a man fired an air gun at a security guard about an hour before the service.Benedict’s four-day state visit comes as Germany’s church has been losing thousands of followers amid revelations that hundreds of children and young people were abused by clergy and church employees.