51.   The gunbattle between the assailants and security forces ended after about seven hours, with the death of the two rebel gunmen.

52.   The ITAR-Tass news agency cited Russian authorities Friday as saying that in one incident, rebel gunmen opened fire on an armoured vehicle carrying Interior Ministry troops.

53.   The rally has been peaceful, but Russian officials and the Moscow-backed government insist rebel gunmen are using it to infiltrate the city.

54.   The rally has been peaceful, but Russian and pro-Russian officials insist rebel gunmen are using it to infiltrate the city.

55.   The visit came as rebel gunmen from the Taliban and government forces exchanged heavy fire on the southern outskirts of the capital Kabul.