41.   The Taliban have vowed to defend the city, which is the birthplace of their movement, even though Marines have set up a forward base nearby.

42.   The unit was formed with the financial backing of the Chinese government to help defend Chinese cities from Japanese attack before the United States entered World War II.

43.   While many civilians fled to the hills outside the city, volunteer fighters in green headbands stayed behind to defend the city.

44.   He added that Baid had taken charge of the military operation to defend the city.

45.   Advancing ex-government forces fired rockets on Kabul international airport Sunday as the Taliban fundamentalist militia brought in hundreds of reinforcements to defend the city.

46.   As fighting intensified, several government officials called on the population to come to Grozny to defend the city against the assault.

47.   The president said that in addition to defending the city militarily, the goverment would step up its approaches to the international community.

48.   The Tigers have vowed to defend the city to their last man.

49.   Troops of the elite Presidential Security Division, however, appeared to be preparing to defend the city, positioning tanks and mortars on the road toward Kipushi.

50.   UN officials said they could not confirm Iraqi opposition reports that Iraqi tanks had taken up offensive positions in a bid to defend the city.