31.   An Israeli army statement confirmed the operation bit said said the troops, backed by armoured cars, had only detained three Palestinians, including Zakarni.

32.   An Israeli military statement confirmed that troops had entered the two towns, and also the locality of Beit Lahia in the same region.

33.   The statement confirmed a report from Russian official Sergei Gryzunov, quoted Sunday by Russian television.

34.   The statement confirmed earlier reports on the date of the conference.

35.   The statement confirmed orders served earlier Friday against two members of the group.

36.   The statement confirmed a report earlier Friday in the New York Times that the country was about to pull out all its personnel.

37.   The statement confirmed a report in the El Pais newspaper Monday which said that the talks had been called off.

38.   The statement confirmed a report published earlier in the day by the weekly magazine Focus.

39.   The statement confirmed earlier appointments announced Saturday.

40.   The statement confirmed a US embassy statement in Kuwait City that Kuwait had accepted an additional deployment of troops as part of the US military build-up in the Gulf.