71.   The violence came as Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres held talks in the United States about an Arab plan to stop the fighting now in its eighth month.

72.   The violence came as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon prepared to leave for the United States for talks with U.S. President George W. Bush and other administration officials.

73.   The violence came less than an hour after a multinational committee monitoring a U.S.-brokered cease-fire in south Lebanon urged Israel and Lebanese guerrillas to avoid targeting civilians.

74.   The violence came the same day that President Abdou Diouf was touring the battle-scarred southern Casamance region, promising both beefed-up security and peace.

75.   The violence came three days after South Africa was denied in its bid to become the first African country to hold the World Cup.

76.   The violence came two weeks after stone-throwing civil servants damaged public buildings in the nearby province of Rio Negro to protest unpaid salaries and pensions.

77.   The violence comes as a senior Palestinian official in the U.S.-brokered talks in Washington said Israel has backtracked on Jerusalem proposals.

78.   The violence comes as Israel and the Palestinians try to reach agreement on a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

79.   The violence comes just days before officials from Indonesia and Portugal are to resume U.N.-sponsored negotiations in New York.

80.   The violence comes on the eve of an Arab summit in Cairo, a gathering Arafat sought to show of broad support for the Palestinian cause.