Allowed to come back to Kazakhstan in 2005, Mr Aliyev's return to favour seemed assured when he was appointed deputy minister of foreign affairs.

ECONOMIST: Nursultan Nazarbayev won��t tolerate rivals

Ms Bokova has served as Bulgaria's Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and as candidate to the post of Vice President of Bulgaria, she advocated her country's membership in NATO and the European Union.

UNESCO: Irina Bokova of Bulgaria elected as UNESCO's 10th Director General

In 2001-2003, she was UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Administration, before being appointed First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, responsible for Russians abroad and cultural action.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

Irina Bokova held also bilateral meetings with the Minister of Education Boubekeur Benbouzid, the Minister of Culture Khalida Toumi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mourad Medelci, the Minister of Youth and Sports El Hachemi Djiar and the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

Robledo, Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico.

UN: Secretary-General

Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Ali Hifni, said that the diversion of the river was not something to worry about, according to the Egyptian state-run news agency Mena.

BBC: Ethiopia diverts Blue Nile for controversial dam build

The departure of the Social Democratic Alliance would force a reconstruction of the government as party holds the defense and foreign affairs portfolios, and a deputy prime minister post.

CNN: Blast as Macedonia probe begins