A formula worked out on the eve of independence 44 years ago assigned the most important national posts, including the presidency, to the Christians.

All top national posts are up for election.

But Don Fidel, as he was universally known, kept his highly visible national post year after year.

His last national post was as Georges Pompidou's minister of state for cooperation in 1962.

He was the last Presiding Bishop to retain his diocesan jurisdiction while serving in the national post.

Many local stamps performed a genuine postal function where the national post was lacking.

"It's easy to imagine him in a number of national posts," said Yuri Ryzhov, a leader of the parliamentary liberals.

But the last straw was reportedly his effort to become the chief of the Bavarian party, in addition to holding his national post.

He envisions a national post, or at least a state one.

In addition to his work in the diocese he held a number of national posts.