The Nationalist Party's assistant information secretary, Jean-Pierre Debono, has joined the list of potential candidates for the vacant general secretary post, The Times has learnt.

When contacted yesterday he would only say that he is "keeping his options open". However, PN sources say he is being heavily lobbied by a number of people within the party.

"I'm keeping my options open at this stage, following last Friday's vote and after a number of people approached me, encouraging me to consider the post. However, I still have to consult certain people, both within the party and outside," he said.

He was referring to Friday's vote for the election of 13 officials from the general council who will now join the rest of the executive committee in the choice of the party's new general secretary. He won 496 of the 709 valid votes cast. There were 39 officials contesting the election to the executive.

As in the case of another likely contestant, Karol Aquilina, Mr Debono played a central role in the electoral campaign, which not only earned him added respect among the general council but increased his standing as a party official.After MEP Simon Busuttil (the Prime Minister's choice) and MP Beppe Fenech Adami declared they are not interested, only one candidate, Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier has so far put his name forward. However, there are different currents within the party pushing different names. Dr Aquilina was non committal when contacted on Monday but went back from a previous comment he had given to the Labour press when he said he was "not interested".

Another new face who was being asked to run, Gozitan councillor Marthese Portelli, declared she is not interested but confirmed that she had been approached by quite a number of people.