1.  Secular opposition can be no less absolutist in its premises, even though they are based on this-worldly ideals, and as uncompromising in its conclusions.

2.  Arafat, meanwhile, has appointed him to lead reconciliation efforts between the Palestinian Authority and a host of Islamist and secular opposition groups.

3.  Since el-Bashir came to power, the southern rebels have joined hands with exiled secular opposition groups to demand an end to Islamic law as well.

4.  The regime declared Wednesday criticized a meeting in Rome between Islamic fundamentalists and the secular opposition to create a dialogue leading toward peace.

5.  The New York meeting would have come only a few weeks ahead of presidential voting in Algeria which is being boycotted by the secular opposition and by the fundamentalists.

6.  The other secular opposition groups also have contempt for the BJP, saying it hoped to cover its weak spots with the New Year campaign.

7.  The Palestinian secular opposition, such as the PFLP and DFLP, and Islamic militant groups rejected the autonomy accords with Israel from the very start.

8.  Secular opposition groups allied to FIS, weakened by the failure of their boycott appeal, have also stepped up calls for dialogue.

9.  The government has hitherto rejected a pact entailing terms for a political settlement, which was signed in Rome last January by the secular opposition and the FIS.

10.  The NSFL is the largest secular Libyan opposition group, although the Movement of Libyan Patriots also announced its formation in January of this year.