The Liberian Government says it has secured the release of 180 UN peacekeepers being held by rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
Published:
27 May 2000 y., Saturday
Forty-six of the former hostages have been flown to the Liberian capital, Monrovia, where a number were transferred to hospital. The remainder are in the border town of Foya waiting to be airlifted out.
About 70 UN peacekeepers are still being held hostage in Sierra Leone by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) but a Liberian Government minister said mediators were continuing talks with individual rebel commanders and he hoped all UN personnel would soon be freed.
The RUF seized 500 UN hostages more than three weeks ago.
News of the mass release came shortly after Sierra Leonean President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah announced that it was to put the RUF leader, Foday Sankoh, on trial.
He told the BBC in an interview that the evidence against him was being put together now and, if found to have violated the law, Mr Sankoh would no longer be considered part of the peace deal he signed last year.
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
BMW recently highlighted an electric scooter, currently still in the concept phase, targeted at green-leaning commuters.
more »
"I'm excited about where these findings could take us in terms of eventually developing a new type of analgesic for people who suffer from chronic pain."
more »
The Anonymous hackers now have names, at least in Italy. A series of dawn searches this morning concluded investigations by IT police, led by Antonio Abruzzese, into coordinated computer attacks by the group over the past few months.
more »
He world's first flying car has been authorized to use roads while flying in the air.
more »
This is the adjustable-height desk that pairs with a semi-recumbent elliptical trainer to let users exercise while on the job.
more »
Scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed an autonomous, caterpillar-inspired robot, designed to climb trees and spot danger to forests via a built-in camera.
more »
Nuclear officials confident over safety levels of flooded nuclear power plant.
more »
A 19 year old computer hacker in London has been released on bail after being charged with attacking government websites.
more »
Greek Communists rally at historical monument in Athens to protest new round of austerity measures
more »
Imagine flying from Tokyo to Paris in less than two and a half hours, without having to burn tons of fossil fuel. One day it might be possible. The concept of zero-emissions, supersonic flight is being explored by European aircraft maker, EADS.
more »