21.   But the region remained tense and Iraqi tanks were entrenched nearby, a U.N. official said.

22.   But the region remains turbulent and volatile.

23.   But the region remains a powderkeg.

24.   But the region remains turbulent and is teeming with weapons, many of them belonging to renegade groups.

25.   Despite the end of hostilities, the southern region has remained unstable, with Chechen authorities finding it hard to control numerous armed gangs.

26.   Fighting has stopped between the two countries over the mainly Armenian-populated region that is located entirely within Azerbaijan, but the region remains tense.

27.   Fighting between the two former Soviet republics has stopped, but the foes have not reached a peace agreement and the region remains tense.

28.   Fighting in the nine-year-old territorial dispute has stopped, but the foes have not reached a peace agreement and the region remains tense.

29.   For the provincial markets, the North, Northeast and central regions remain strong.

30.   Georgian authorities insist that the region remains part of Georgia, and contend that the province has become a haven for criminals.