61.   The Left Front-National Front, a loose alliance of socialist, communist and lower-caste parties, finished third in the ballot.

62.   The goals differ little from those of the larger Commonwealth of Independent States, a loose alliance that succeeded the Soviet Union.

63.   The National Front, a loose alliance of socialist, communist and low-caste parties, finished third in the recent national elections.

64.   The Left Front-National Front, a loose alliance of socialist, communist and lower-caste parties, finished third in the balloting.

65.   The main contenders for power are the centrist Nepali Congress Party and the leftist parties, who form a loose alliance in Parliament.

66.   The Mir network is run by members of the Commonwealth of Independent States to report political and economic developments in the loose alliance uniting former Soviet republics.

67.   The southern regions of Bay and Bakol are controlled by the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council, a loose alliance of faction leaders backed by Ethiopia.

68.   The southern Somali regions of Bay and Bakol are controlled by the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council, a loose alliance of faction leaders backed by Ethiopia.

69.   The rest of the war-wracked country is held by a loose alliance of factions representing ethnic and religious minorities.

70.   The Taliban, which controls the southern two-thirds of Afghanistan, is battling a loose alliance of northern-based forces.