21.   Arafat has carried out such sweeps in the past to appease Israel after bombing attacks, then gradually released the detainees.

22.   Arafat has ordered such arrest sweeps in the past in response to suicide bombings, but he has always released the detainees later.

23.   As a rule, the Palestinian leader has tried to coopt rather than confront his opponents, and most detainees were released after a short period.

24.   Authorities said they planned to release the detainees after questioning.

25.   But about half the detainees have been released, including seven on Sunday.

26.   Contradictory reports emerged on the number to be freed under the decision Wednesday to release political detainees.

27.   Court orders to release detainees have been ignored, the report said.

28.   Defense lawyer Mustafa Abdel-Qader said the detainees were released in response to an appeal filed with the justice ministry, the agency reported.

29.   Detainees usually are released after the balloting ends.

30.   Detainees usually are released as soon as the relevant paperwork has been completed, which can take a day.