21.   Carl Gustaf, a folksy, straight-talking monarch, decided to let matters rest there.

22.   He even pleaded his case with International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch, who responded that the matter rested with the IAAF.

23.   He said all ambassadors agreed that Annan had done his part in choosing a candidate and that the matter now rested squarely with the council to make a decision.

24.   The Hong Kong Standard was more conciliatory, saying it was time to let the matter rest so Hong Kong can concentrate on pulling out of recession.

25.   The matter now rests with a congressional conference committee working to combine the House bill with a similar Senate-passed measure.

26.   There the matter rests, at present.

27.   A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service told AFP that the matter now rested with Home Secretary David Blunkett.