11.  French political parties girded on Friday for early elections widely predicted to be called next week by French President Jacques Chirac in a double-or-quits gamble.

12.  A maverick anti-Europe lawmaker on Sunday launched a new French political party, describing its key policy front as opposition to outgoing European Commission President Jacques Delors.

13.  According to the survey, all major French parties barring the extreme right National Front would lose votes if the threat is carried out.

14.  Dissidents on the left and the right have sharply reduced the hopes of French mainstream parties in European elections on Sunday, an exit poll said.

15.  With the exception of the French communist party, the French political scene has chiefly sought to avoid taking a stance on the Algerian elections.

16.  Show-biz types also turned out at the socialist rally, in addition to more staid figures like the leader of the French socialist party, Lionel Jospin.

17.  The French touring party arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday for an eight-game tour, three days after Sella was sent off in the international at Ontario.

18.  The French party will fly to Tripoli aboard a chartered plane.

19.  The major French political parties are split over the ticklish issue.