31.   He was speaking at the closing session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which on Saturday suspended Nigeria from the organisation following its execution of nine people.

32.   However, he distanced himself from the GIA following its execution a year ago of two senior Islamic officials to whom he was allied.

33.   A local official, while confirming the executions, however said he had noe knowledge of rioting in Yining following the executions.

34.   At a nearby Taylor checkpoint lay the severed head of a Johnson fighter, complete with helmet, a victim of a revenge attack following executions on Monday.

35.   Claudia Lehmkuhl said the military in Port Harcourt feared widespread unrest following the executions.

36.   Following the executions, the Commonwealth suspended Nigeria from its fold while the US and EU clamped arms embargos on the West African nation.

37.   The move follows the execution of nine dissidents in the African country which sparked calls for tougher measures against the regime.

38.   Mahathir said that he had no reservations about the suspension of Nigeria following the execution of nine anti-government activists.

39.   Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi said late Thursday following the executions that he had wanted the death sentence abolished in his country.

40.   South African President Nelson Mandela called Saturday for the expulsion of Nigeria from the Commonwealth following the execution of nine Ogoni human-rights activists there.