1.   Hundreds of them emigrated to the Shiite region around Herat in western Afghanistan over the years, which is today a major stronghold of the anti-Taliban resistance.

2.   It served as the center of Taliban strength and was its last major stronghold before U.S. and Northern Alliance troops moved into the city late last year.

3.   Kandahar was the last major stronghold for the routed Taliban, who have abandoned the city and fled with many fighters.

4.   Omar is the subject of a massive manhunt in the region as the Taliban begin surrendering their last major stronghold.

5.   Such a deal was in the works, according to some reports from Afghanistan, as Taliban forces appeared ready to surrender Kandahar, their last major stronghold.

6.   Only a few remnants remain after the government took over their last major stronghold this past April.

7.   Over the past weeks government forces have purged the KLA from several other major strongholds.

8.   Over the past weeks government forces purged the KLA from several other major strongholds.

9.   Pressing their offensive for a fourth day, Serb forces drove ethnic Albanian rebels from a key highway Monday and surrounded a major insurgent stronghold near the Albanian border.

10.   Realising that the sugar cane industry is a major political stronghold, Supachai remains opposed to the price increase because it would certainly lead to an increase in inflation.