Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is calling on the political blocs in Iraq to close ranks in the face of the growing threat from Sunni militants.

伊拉克总理努里·马利基呼吁伊拉克的政治团体团结一致，来面对逊尼派武装分子不断增加的威胁。

But in 1969, it wasn't an anomaly for a group of powerful men to close ranks around one of their own, making his behavior seem acceptable to the public.

但在1969年，一群有权有势的人紧密团结起来，让他们中的某个人的行为显得能被公众所接受的做法，在当时并不是什么反常的事。

The Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro has said President Hugo Chavez is going through his most difficult hours and has called on the nation to close ranks behind the ailing leader.

委内瑞拉副总统尼古拉斯·马杜罗说，总统乌戈·查韦斯正处于最艰难的时刻，他呼吁全国团结在这位生病的领袖周围。