11.   Radical Palestinian factions on Thursday dismissed the general elections held last week in Palestinian self-rule areas as little more than an Israeli ploy.

12.   A U.S. proposal for ending war in the former Yugoslavia won initial positive reviews from the three warring factions on Wednesday.

13.   But chances that Annan could hold joint talks with all the factions on Thursday were slim.

14.   Former Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka said Thursday he is confident of reaching a peace agreement between the Solomon Islands government and militant factions on Guadalcanal island.

15.   Germany hosted the negotiations that produced an agreement last Wednesday among Afghan factions on how they would share power in a transitional post-Taliban administration.

16.   Hard-line Palestinian groups blasted a rival faction on Monday for offering to join final status peace negotiations with Israel.

17.   If Shetreet was removed, this could buy Peres the support of religious factions on important votes.

18.   Miriung, who had political enemies on both sides of the eight-year secessionist war, was the main peace negotiator between the factions on the island.

19.   Neither group is included in a peace accord signed between the government and four other rebel factions on Monday.

20.   Somali factions on Tuesday endorsed much of peace accord brokered by the Egyptian government but disagreed on the makeup of a reconciliation council.