31.   Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama intends to step down, a top political associate said Friday.

32.   Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama met Friday with top political associates amid reports he intends to resign.

33.   The two mayors and two political associates were freed hours later.

34.   The two men are close friends and longtime political associates.

35.   Top political associates of Barak quickly joined in calls to stop dealings with the Syrians while the Lebanon violence continues.

36.   Friends, relations and political associates of Chief Moshood Abiola gathered at his residence here Thursday fasting and praying for his early release from detention on treason charges.

37.   A close political associate of President Jacques Chirac was indicted for influence-peddling on Wednesday as French magistrates stepped up probes into high-level corruption.

38.   Abiola, wearing a traditional white boubou, heavily embroidered, had some moments to talk to his wives, relations, lawyers and political associates in the courtroom.

39.   But the conditional release, headlined on all national newspapers on Saturday, was rejected by his family, political associates and the opposition as a political manoeuvre.

40.   Fawehimni also filed suits concerning the weekend arrests of pro-democracy activists and political associates of opposition leader Chief Moshood Abiola, who is on trial for treason.