51.   The reports came as South African President Nelson Mandela increased pressure on the government of President Mobutu sese Seko and rebel leader Laurent-Desire Kabila to negotiate.

52.   The reports came as Blair prepares to fly for talks at the weekend with US President George W. Bush at his ranch in Texas.

53.   The report came as a ceasefire was due to take effect and Russian troops sealed off Shali in southern Chechnya.

54.   The report came as a senior Palestinian official in Jordan said the Israeli army had told foreign military attaches in Tel Aviv to evacuate their nationals from Palestinian territories.

55.   The report came as Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic denounced the airstrikes which he said contradicted efforts to bring peace to Bosnia.

56.   The report came as Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko left southern France Monday for Rabat where he is to meet this week with King Hassan II.

57.   Its sombre report came as the monarch prepares for the climax this weekend of celebrations marking her golden jubilee on the throne.