But what was it about Dominique de Villepin that made Mr Chirac appoint him first as chief of staff, then foreign minister, interior minister and finally his prime minister?

BBC: Profile: Dominique de Villepin

The new army chief of staff, Abdul Fattah Younis, was Col Gaddafi's interior minister until he defected.

BBC: Who's in charge? Sorting out Libya's rebel armies

You can easily imagine that happening in the current location's '60s mod interior with leather banquettes, a giant seafood ice boat and vested wait staff that all give off a Cold War-era highbrow vibe.

BBC: James Bond��s London

In June, 2010, President Hamid Karzai removed General Bismillah Khan Mohammadi from his post as chief of staff of the Afghan Army, and transferred him to the Ministry of Interior.

NEWYORKER: After America

Musharraf convened an emergency meeting with his senior staff where they were expected to discuss whether to postpone the election, an official at the Interior Ministry said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

NPR: Pakistan's Bhutto Killed in Suicide Bomb Attack