21.   The Navy has discounted those claims, and continues bombing in the area.

22.   But he discounted claims that the military had lowered its guard due to the ceasefire and said the security forces were ready to respond at short notice.

23.   But a former wildlife director, Nandana Atapattu, has discounted these claims.

24.   The Pentagon also said it had witnessed no massing of Iraqi forces in southern Iraq, discounting a claim by a Shiite opposition group in Dubai.

25.   The rebel radio Sunday discounted government claims of heavy rebel casualties.