11.   Loyalists have re-grouped and closed ranks to minimalise the risk of their organisations being penetrated by the intelligence services.

12.   The Cabinet closed ranks behind him and a sizeable proportion of his back-benchers followed suit.

13.   Great holes were torn in it by the German machine guns and shrapnel, but with a discipline that would have honoured the Old Guard, it closed ranks.

14.   And despite the oft-stated recognition that Congress needs to close ranks behind whomever is elected, the partisan divisions stood out in stark relief.

15.   And the Blues closed ranks around the net, allowing only shots from the perimeter.

16.   Angry travel agents closed ranks and formulated battle plans to fight a cap on their commissions that is sweeping the airline industry.

17.   Bush introduced his plan as the Republican Party continued to close ranks around him.

18.   Buchanan was scheduled to close ranks with Dole on Thursday night by making an appearance on the podium with Dole and Jack Kemp.

19.   But in the end, almost all senators ignored the arguments and simply closed ranks behind their party leaders.

20.   But in recent months, as the fighting has surged across the Palestinian territories, his popularity has recovered and his political opponents have closed ranks behind him.