41.   Officials said the Emirates would open its embassy in Afghanistan soon.

42.   Silvero said the Paraguay Government opened the embassy in Kuala Lumpur to try and diversify relations in the world market.

43.   South Korea, heavily dependent on imported oil from the Middle East, opened an embassy in Israel only last year.

44.   South Africa has opened an embassy in the Saudi Arabian capital three months after diplomatic relations were established during a visit by President Nelson Mandela, diplomats said Wednesday.

45.   South Africa plans to open an embassy in Algeria and to form a joint committee to study economic cooperation with Algeria, according to a statement issued Sunday.

46.   Thailand and Bahrain are also planning to open embassies in each country, Attapong said.

47.   The diplomatic crisis was aggravated by rumors Tuesday that Spain would open its embassy to asylum seekers.

48.   The embassy was opened earlier on Thursday after being closed for three days because of security concerns.

49.   The decision to open an embassy in Rome was motivated by the need to establish closer ties with southern countries of the European Union.

50.   The diplomats, who spoke on condition on anonymity, said they expected the Saudis to open an embassy in South Africa soon.