51.   The increased military presence, which included armed guards at some government buildings, indicated coup leaders were preparing for a possible attack by France.

52.   Interim leader prepares for a visit by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the exact date of which is yet to be announced.

53.   Islamic leaders prepared to get down to business at their summit here Wednesday following appeals for religious tolerance and an end to the violence wracking Moslem states.

54.   As leaders prepared for the evening session, Salim was at a loss to explain the absence of Nigerian strongman leader General Sani Abacha from the summit.

55.   The two leaders were preparing a meeting of a Moroccan-Libyan high commission on cooperation, planned for Tripoli in March.

56.   Union leaders are also preparing to stage a surprise raid Thursday in a further publicity stunt, similar to three they have already organised.

57.   Israeli leaders are preparing public opinion for a withdrawal from the Golan, but they still avoid giving clear statements on the issue.

58.   Meanwhile, Bosnian Moslem leaders are preparing new hostilities and also increasingly impeding the movement of peacekeepers.

59.   Oil brokers feared the Iraqi leader might be preparing to launch another offensive in a UN-designated exclusion zone.

60.   The opening of the French interests section comes as French industry leaders prepare for a new mission to sound out business openings in Iraq.