1.   Before the leaders met, Nahum Langental, a lawmaker from the National Religious Party, appealed to Sharon to change his mind about giving Barak the defense portfolio.

2.   In establishing a presidential system, Kabila abolished the post of prime minister and kept the defense portfolio for himself.

3.   Rabin reluctantly offered Peres the Foreign Ministry while retaining the defense portfolio.

4.   Rao, who holds the defense portfolio, is to meet Perry on Friday.

5.   So the likelihood is that Peres will take the defense portfolio himself.

6.   Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said Foreign Minister Jaime Gama would take over the defense portfolio.

7.   As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Moi also holds the defense portfolio.

8.   Aurelio Loret de Mola, a lawyer and former congressman, will take over the defense portfolio, Toledo said.

9.   Earlier, Sharon aides denied that Peres was offered the defense portfolio.

10.   Drnovsek said Science Minister Lojze Marincek will take the defense portfolio until politicians name a permanent successor.