The announcement from Mr. Arafat's office followed a day of intense politicking within Fatah.

Many have been courted personally by candidates, and few are oblivious to the intense politicking here every four years.

The intense politicking took place against a backdrop of continued violence.

After months of intense politicking in two states, the campaign for President spread across half the continent today, with most candidates focusing on the South.

The plan, the result of intense backstage politicking in the Capitol, would set new lines for the 61 State Senate districts and 150 Assembly seats.

The riots coincided with intense politicking among the West African nation's fractious political parties in advance of the complex process of returning to civilian rule.

Ms. Vogel, his wife, said: "Many people have commented on the intense politicking in academic institutions.

Stem cell research in China thus is unlikely ever to be prone to the intense moral politicking that characterizes the field in the West.

Several commissioners said there would be intense politicking over the nomination in the coming days.