Two well-known rebel commanders in Chechnya, Khattab and Abu Daba, are indubitably Arabs, and foreign reporters have seen evidence that some other mercenaries or volunteers from the Middle East are fighting there too.

ECONOMIST: Russia and Chechnya

Daba Naualna, a spokesman for the army's chief of staff, told CNN on Friday night that both Pereira and Gomes were well, and that no one had been killed or wounded in the unrest.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Indudablemente, morir lo daba por casi, casi hecho.

BBC: Mundo | A fondo | "Morir lo daba como un hecho"

Adems, le daba el control de las reservas de divisas extranjeras, del banco central, de la ordenacin territorial del pas y mayores poderes para expropiar propiedades o censurar medios de comunicacin en situaciones de emergencia.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Surprise in Venezuela

Daba Naualna, a military spokesman.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS