31.   Government forces were preparing Wednesday for a counteroffensive against a rival Muslim faction that captured the strategic western city of Herat without firing a shot.

32.   He also said alliance forces were preparing for a major attack on Helmand, another Taliban stronghold in the south.

33.   Having clinched control of three-quarters of the country, anti-Taliban forces were preparing to talk about how to govern Afghanistan.

34.   He said government forces was preparing to defend the capital, and called on civilians to take up arms against the rebels.

35.   In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said U.S. intelligence had detected signs that Serb forces were preparing to withdraw from Kosovo.

36.   International forces were preparing to take positions in Kabul, the Afghan capital, in time for the inauguration Saturday of a six-month interim government.

37.   International forces were preparing to take positions in Kabul in time for the inauguration Saturday of a six-month interim government.

38.   International peacekeeping forces were preparing to take positions in Kabul in time for the inauguration Saturday of a six-month interim government.

39.   Israeli security forces are preparing for possible violence, placing tanks and snipers on standby in military bases outside Palestinian towns.

40.   ITAR-Tass said Russian forces were preparing for a new offensive on the region around Shatoi, the latest command base for Dudayev and the rebels.