Results of the Wednesday vote in South Africa, where there are 23 million registered voters and all votes are counted by hand, are expected by Saturday at the earliest -- although elections officials hope to have a preliminary tally before then.

CNN: ANC celebrate ahead of S. Africa vote tally

Although eleven members voted in favor, the final tally was three short of the necessary number to send the plan to Congress for a vote.

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Although, on the face of it, the Versailles meeting adds greatly to the tally of recent Franco-German initiatives, in practice some of them are likely to prove damp squibs.

ECONOMIST: Rendezvous in Versailles | The