21.   Tlass also holds the defence portfolio.

22.   Under the new cabinet, Abu Ragheb also holds the defence portfolio.

23.   Walesa last week ordered Pawlak to name candidates to fill the foreign affairs and defence portfolios which have been vacant for three months.

24.   Israeli analysts believe Peres will keep the defence portfolio, following the example set by Rabin, and appoint former chief of staff Ehud Barak as foreign minister.

25.   Kabbah has retained the defence portfolio, which he held earlier but reassigned deputy defence minister Hinga Norman as the new internal affairs minister.

26.   Millon will meet Perry for the last time before the US official hands over the defence portfolio to his successor William Cohen.

27.   Political analysts believe it is more likely he will copy the example set by Rabin and keep the defence portfolio to give his government a strong image of security.

28.   Peres was to follow in the footsteps of his slain predecessor Yitzhak Rabin by keeping the defence portfolio.

29.   Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who is also holds the defence portfolio, submitted the request to Finance Minister Avraham Shohat, state radio said.

30.   President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga, a UNP stalwart who now represents the opposition, stays in office and is keeping the defence portfolio.