11.   But the bitter split between party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen and his former lieutenant, Bruno Megret, has badly weakened the party.

12.   But her Congress party has been weakened by a recent split when three top party leaders quit, challenging her right to lead them because of her foreign origin.

13.   But the party has been weakened in recent years by corruption scandals and infighting.

14.   But the party has been weakened by defections since Wade defeated former President Abdou Diouf in March last year.

15.   Denying Green ministers a foot in parliament would weaken the party compared to the Social Democrats, he said.

16.   Denying Green ministers a foot in parliament would weaken the party compared to the Social Democrats, Trittin said earlier.

17.   Emmanuelli, who succeeded former Premier Michel Rocard in June, is credited with helping to curtail internal feuding that had weakened the party in recent years.

18.   Election losses in three key states in late November further weakened the party.

19.   First Premier Norodom Ranariddh accused a rival party Tuesday of illegally trying to weaken his party, and threatened to respond with force if it continued.

20.   In a statement later Friday, the Serbian Democratic Party accused the international community of trying to weaken the party.