1.   Chinese maritime authorities escorted the tanker to the port of Haikou, holding it and the crew for more than a month.

2.   The tanker was being escorted Saturday to a port in Oman, although the Russian government has demanded that it be released.

3.   They also want Sierra Leonean troops stationed in checkpoints along main roads to be replaced by international peacekeepers, who would be responsible for escorting tankers, he said.

4.   Troops are escorting petroleum tankers between depots and gas stations to prevent any violence.

5.   The gunmen, aboard a car, sped off and escaped as two Palestinian policemen escorting the tanker opened fire, Israeli military officials said.