31.   Sunday the cabinet approved the arrival of more foreign building workers to replace barred Palestinians.

32.   The Chinese cabinet has approved in principle regulations on nuclear exports, official news reports said Friday.

33.   The cabinet also approved a bill that will computerize the customs service and step up punishment for customs violations.

34.   The Union cabinet had approved the policy, as had the Telecom Commission.

35.   Hardline nationalist Ariel Sharon was set to be sworn in as minister on Monday after the cabinet approved the creation a new infrastructure portfolio for him, officials said.

36.   In a special meeting on the Albanian crisis, the cabinet also approved a decree limiting the length of time Albanian refugees can stay in Italy.

37.   In Jerusalem, the Israeli cabinet formally approved the treaty on Sunday following ratification in the Knesset or parliament on the eve of the signing ceremony.

38.   In Beirut the Lebanese cabinet approved a bill to abolish exclusive dealerships in imported goods, raising hopes of lower prices through competition.

39.   In light of rising unemployment, the cabinet approved a proposal by the Council of Labor Affairs Thursday to freeze foreign labor employment quotas for manufacturing and construction industries.

40.   Industries Minister Clement Gooneratne told parliament the cabinet had approved his proposal to place the entire country on what he called a war footing.