11.   French diplomats based in Lagos, the Nigerian capital, were negotiating the release of the hostages.

12.   He did not say what those rumors were based on, but the claim of responsibility was sent to some news agencies in Lagos, the Nigerian capital.

13.   He did not say who would attend the talks in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

14.   He was to cap his three-day visit Monday with another outdoor Mass, in a field outside Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

15.   He was speaking at a one-day AIDS conference attended by several hundred government, U.N. and relief officials in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

16.   In the Nigerian capital of Abuja, aghast hotel workers at the local Hilton stopped their chores to watch.

17.   In the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Kromah accused the United States of siding with his rival.

18.   In the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Kromah met with Abacha and on Wednesday accused the United States of siding with his rival, Johnson.

19.   Information Minister Kikaya Bin Karubi said Kabila met Olusegun Obasanjo in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, but no other details of the meeting were available.

20.   Jiang and Obasanjo talked for an hour Monday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.