31.   Earlier Friday, fighting was heavy between opposition and Taliban forces around Mazar-e-Sharif, with the two sides giving conflicting accounts.

32.   EU ratification would tip it over the minimum number of countries needed to come into force around the world.

33.   Government forces around Anlong Veng were put on high alert through the election period.

34.   Heavy fighting has broken out between government and rebel forces around two towns near the Liberian capital, government officials said Thursday.

35.   Heightened security measures were still in force around the nation.

36.   It was far from certain whether all al-Qaida forces around Tora Bora would surrender.

37.   It was also far from certain whether all al-Qaida forces around Tora Bora would surrender.

38.   Macedonian radio reported an exchange of fire overnight between rebels and security forces around the villages of Ratae and Zilce, near the northwestern city of Tetovo.

39.   Maj. Gen. Dragomir Milosevic, commander of Serb forces around Sarajevo, said any government offensive would result in an immediate counterattack.

40.   Mustafa accused Serbs of massing forces around Kosovo in violation of the October cease-fire.