11.   In the past, Arafat carried out arrest sweeps in the wake of attacks on Israelis, but in each case the detainees were eventually freed.

12.   Last week, on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, an additional nine detainees were freed.

13.   Most detainees were later freed on bail pending military court trial on charges of belonging to unlicensed organizations and harming relations with a friendly country, Syria.

14.   Nigerian military ruler Gen. Sani Abacha pledged in November to free political detainees.

15.   Speaking Friday in Pakistan, where the issue of prisoners is an emotive one, Karzai said his government intends to free all detainees who present no danger.

16.   Speaking in Pakistan, where the issue of prisoners is an emotive one, Karzai said his government intends to free all detainees who present no danger.

17.   The federation says it will not negotiate a compromise with the government unless all the detainees are freed.

18.   The Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army militia freed eight detainees as a humanitarian gesture for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the militia command announced Sunday.

19.   The Palestinians want all detainees freed over the next few months.

20.   The pope visited Nigeria in late March, calling on Abacha to free political detainees.