51.   However, the curfew in Kilinochchi was lifted at dawn Sunday, the defence ministry said.

52.   However, the defence ministry refused to confirm it detected the missile launch, saying the military would not release any information concerning the exercise unless major incidents occurred.

53.   However, the defence ministry would not confirm this officially.

54.   However, the French defence ministry declined to comment on the report.

55.   In a simultaneous attack, the Tigers destroyed the power station in the area, killing two soldiers guarding the facility, the defence ministry said in a statement.

56.   However, the Tigers have accused the army of using civilians as a shield to attack the rebels, a charge denied by the defence ministry.

57.   Hundreds of Tamil Tiger guerrillas were holed up in eastern Sri Lanka following a major military operation in the jungle region, the defence ministry said Thursday.

58.   In Kinshasa, the Zairean defence ministry denied the reports point blank, telling AFP that no looting had taken place.

59.   In addition to wanting the defence ministry, Dostam has also been tipped for the slot of Afghan vice-president.

60.   In London, the British defence ministry said there was no hostile action involved.