31.   The statement came as Israel expanded its offensive against Palestinian militants across the West Bank and laid siege to the holy city of Bethlehem.

32.   The statement came as Samsung Aerospace was reportedly trying to strike a deal with creditors of Fokker NV to take over the bankrupt Dutch aircraft maker.

33.   The statement came as the defence ministry reported that the Tigers had been extorting money in the eastern district of Polonnaruwa over the weekend.

34.   The Pentagon statement came as Iraq announced it had fired at enemy aircraft over the northern and southern swathes of the country but had not hit its targets.

35.   The statement came after Tutsi military leader Pierre Buyoya seized power, ousting Ntibantunganya who has been holed up in the residence of US ambassador Morris Hughes since Tuesday.

36.   The statement came as Arafat said he was not planning to fight HAMAS, but to prevent them from carrying out acts of terrorism.

37.   The statement came as factional fighting flared in downtown Monrovia.

38.   The statement came as negotiations were held between UN officials and Serb authorities aimed at ensuring the safe passage of civilians fleeing Srebrenica.

39.   The statement came as police here expressed concern over the claims that the would-be suicide bomber was Sri Lankan.

40.   The statement came as the world body was considering action in response to Bosnian Serb shelling attacks and hostage-takings of UN peacekeepers.