31.   Among expedition members present were Melvyn Loh, Jacky Chan, M.C. Tan and Abdul Hamid Hassan.

32.   But Italy and Germany, the only NATO and EU members present, struck markedly different tones about how much help western Europe can offer the east.

33.   By tradition, all House members present stand when a new member takes the oath of office.

34.   Currently, only a simple majority of members present would be required to repeal that law.

35.   Existing procedures require only a simple majority of the votes of members present.

36.   He added the present council members and management team were working to strengthen internal control and a full meeting would be held in early April to review financial matters.

37.   He also said there were several family members present the night of the alleged incident and that they deny seeing physical abuse.

38.   He also said there were several family members present the night of the confrontation and that they deny seeing physical abuse.

39.   However, present members of the decision-making group, Levy and Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, objected to the inclusion of the hardline Sharon and Levy threatened to resign.

40.   In a surprise vote before dawn, ruling party legislators passed the law without opposition members present.