41.   In Madrid, the Spanish interior ministry confirmed the arrest and called it a major blow against ETA.

42.   In Moscow, the foreign ministry confirmed that the seven were free but declined to give any details on the circumstances of their escape.

43.   In Geneva, the Swiss foreign ministry confirmed the death, and said Karer had been working in Somalia for several years.

44.   In Madrid, the Spanish interior ministry confirmed the arrest.

45.   In Jerusalem the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the talks would take place in the Palestinian Authority offices on the Palestinian side of the Erez crossing.

46.   In Paris, the French foreign ministry confirmed the death of the two French nationals but refused to identify them until their next of kin had been notified.

47.   In Paris, the French interior ministry confirmed that the hijacker wanted to talk to journalists at the Geneva airport.

48.   In Paris the foreign ministry confirmed the attack, but said it did not appear it was diplomatically motivated.

49.   In Paris the foreign ministry confirmed the death of three tourists and said eight had been taken to hospital.

50.   In Paris, the foreign ministry confirmed that one of the hostages had been freed.