To overcome the filibuster, Leader Reid had to file cloture, a procedure that while once extraordinary is now commonplace out of necessity.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

The Republican leader insists that Senator Reid file cloture, which starts a 30-hour clock.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefings

Speaking to BBC Arabic after the funeral, Mr Belaid's widow said she would file a lawsuit against the party's leader, Rachid Ghannouchi.

BBC: Tunisia PM Jebali pledges new government 'by next week'

The Likud's primary election, by contrast, will enable the entire rank-and-file to choose between Mr Netanyahu and the incumbent party leader, Ariel Sharon.

ECONOMIST: Can Bibi foil Barak��s bid to block him?

Iran's foreign relations, including such important issues as the nuclear file, fall largely within the remit of the Supreme Leader, rather than the presidency.

ECONOMIST: Iran's election

Besides, the Communists' leader, Fausto Bertinotti, knows that his own rank-and-file still want him to prop up the government and were furious when he almost uprooted it last October over the budget.

ECONOMIST: Italy��s government soldiers on, but for how long?

Soon after he was elected party leader, Mr Trimble showed he was prepared to upset some of the unionist rank and file by meeting with the main party leaders in the Irish Republic.

BBC: Profile - David Trimble

Tambunan later said that he will file a complaint with the Jakarta police and Parliament against Surjadi, whose government-backed PDI faction deposed Megawati as leader in June.

CNN: HARD CHOICES

American and Iraqi troops have reduced the area in which al-Qaeda enjoyed sanctuary, shut down five al-Qaeda media cells, captured the group's Iraqi leader and killed or captured nearly 100 of its other commanders and 2, 500 rank-and-file fighters.

ECONOMIST: America and Iraq