At first, the Secretary of War, a Cabinet member who, from the start, was a civilian, was called the Secretary at War, a holdover from the Revolution but also a prepositional manifestation of an ideological commitment: the department was chiefly to be called upon only if the nation was at war.

NEWYORKER: The Force

The secretary-general will meet first with a five-member committee handling Syria before presenting a proposal to the wider group, also Sunday night, the official said.

CNN: Ban: Syrian regime 'failed to protect civilians'

First Secretary Rhodri Morgan said he respected the decision of cabinet member Tom Middlehurst to quit his post in a protest over a deal with the Liberal Democrats.

BBC: Morgan defends need for coalition

One of the first Dutch cabinet member from born outside the country - Surinam-born Philomena Bijlhout, who becomes Secretary of State for Families and Emancipation - is also from the LPF.

BBC: Dutch centre-right takes office