41.   The U.N. representative, Mahmoud Mestiri, had hoped that a new governing council would take power in Kabul, the capital, on Monday.

42.   The tribunal agreed again, and in December named a new council itself and ordered the original counsellors to hand over their offices and resources to the new ones.

43.   Parliament also will consider a new electoral council to supervise presidential elections.

44.   Preval announced a new council with three members nominated by five political parties with whom Preval reached an agreement.

45.   A new privately funded council created to help handle complaints against media outlets acted on its first formal complaint Saturday.

46.   A new council itself was being elected on Sunday.

47.   A possible compromise would offer some form of observer status on the new council.

48.   According to the agreement announced Monday, the new council would choose a leader and new government itself if a loya jirga could not be convened.

49.   Albright said the new council will coordinate any future military operations involving both NATO and partner nations, such as the peacekeeping force in Bosnia.

50.   Al-Najjar said the new council will be linked to the government, giving it power to push for greater progress for women.