71.   But an election of a new speaker was postponed until Monday, an AFP correspondent reported.

72.   But the MONUC buildings, which lie just north of Goma near the airport, were looted, AFP correspondents reported.

73.   Central African Republic voters Wednesday snubbed a referendum on constitutional changes, staying away from polling stations in droves, correspondents here reported.

74.   Chechen officials said an electricity distribution-station and the television tower had been hit, the correspondent reported, adding that television programmes had ceased following the attack.

75.   Chechen fighters denied reports they had been forced to retreat from the Chechen capital despite reports they were pushed back by Russian forces from southeast Grozny, correspondents reported.

76.   Correspondents also reported frequent Israeli reconnaissance flights over south Lebanon from mid-afternoon until the early evening.

77.   Correspondents had earlier reported that the president had not been in the car.

78.   Chechen officials said an electricity distribution station and the television tower had been hit, the correspondent reported.

79.   Correspondents also reported a further air raid by northern warplanes on the Aden oil refinery, which was set ablaze in earlier raids.

80.   Correspondents at Argun reported that the Russians bombarded outgunned Chechen defenders with helicopter gunships and artillery.