11.   Rokaya, however, apparently wrote a letter to the house speaker, saying he had abstained voluntary.

12.   The house speaker and two deputy speakers traditionally do not vote.

13.   The election for the house speaker began Friday.

14.   The Knesset house speaker threatened to boycott the visit but retracted after Chirac arranged to visit the Knesset later Monday but will not make a speech.

15.   WASHINGTON -- Newt Gingrich, the outspoken Republican house speaker, is introducing a new conservatism to U.S. politics.

16.   With a Palestinian delegation visiting Washington, the U.S. house speaker accuses Yasser Arafat of waging a terrorism war against Israel.

17.   Former house speaker Taher Masri was in the United States and current speaker Saad Hayel Srour did not vote, as is customary.

18.   He said he would continue to consult next week with parliamentary groups, lower house speaker Irene Pivetti and senate president Carlo Scognamiglio.

19.   Home Minister Shankarrao Chavan urged house speaker Najma Heptullah not to delay action against the judge.

20.   A new house speaker and his deputies would be elected.