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Uganda, rebel delegates gather ahead of peace talks
Juba, Sudan, Aug 7, 2006 Delegates from the Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army on Monday gathered in southern Sudan ahead of a fresh round of peace talks aimed at ending nearly two decades of insurgency. Officials said the talks, whose planned resumption on Monday was delayed by logistics, would proceed on Tuesday. "We arrived here earlier today. We are holding meetings with the south Sudan government and we hope to start the talks tommorrow," said Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the Ugandan government delegation. Rebel spokesman Obonyo Olweny said his side had held consultations with the mediators on the remaining agenda of the peace talks that are seen as the best chance to restore stability in war-ravaged northern Uganda. "We have held our consultations and are ready to resume face-to-face talks with the government tommorrow (Tuesday)," he told AFP. The second round of talks comes after the rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire and urged Kampala to reciprocate the gesture as a way "to provide a peaceful atmosphere for our people while the peace talks continue". The peace parley, which opened on July 14 and adjourned 10 days later, has faced hurdles, notably the refusal of top LRA commanders, who are facing International Criminal Court arrest warrants, to participate directly. The indicted rebels include LRA supremo Joseph Kony, his deputy Vincent Otti and three others, for their alleged role in the slaughter of civilians since they took control of a rebellion in 1988. Kony, a self-proclaimed prophet and mystic who says he speaks directly to God, purports to be fighting to replace Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's government with one based on the Biblical Ten Commandments. But the LRA has become better known for atrocities, particularly the kidnapping of an estimated 25,000 children -- girls for sex slaves and boys for fighters. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Nuclear Space Technology at Space-Travel.com
Lebanese army calls up reservists amid deployment plans
Beirut, Aug 7, 2006 The Lebanese military has called up reserve troops as part of plans to deploy the army to the border with Israel, an official source told AFP on Monday. |
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