1.   Kerekou was to remain head of state during the transitional period, but with the defence portfolio removed from his responsibilities.

2.   The local press later reported that Johnson was seeking the defence portfolio as well as several other ministerial posts for INPFL members.

3.   He met on Saturday with Rabin, who also holds the defence portfolio, and is being considered for the post of interior minister, according to Israeli newspapers.

4.   He will hold talks with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who also holds the defence portfolio, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ehud Barak.

5.   He said Mullah Obaidullah was not the same man who formerly held the defence portfolio under the Taliban.

6.   He was due to hold talks with Prime Minister Zeid ibn Shaker, who also handles the defence portfolio.

7.   He was named to the post less than a year ago, with the blessing of Rabin who also held the defence portfolio.

8.   He told his party he would keep the defence portfolio like Rabin before him, but hand former chief of staff Ehud Barak the post of foreign affairs.

9.   In addition to the premiership, he will also hold the defence portfolio and take charge of palace affairs, party sources said.

10.   In the new line-up approved by the king, the prime minister also holds the defence portfolio.