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
President Valdas Adamkus phoned President-elect Dalia Grybauskaitė this morning after midnight and congratulated her on winning the presidential election.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus, currently on a working visit to France, hosted a reception Wednesday evening in Paris.
more »
In Paris, Valdas Adamkus will meet the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, to discuss the challenges arising at the time of global crisis to UNESCO's educational, scientific and cultural goals.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus received letters of credence from Ambassador Fernando Molina Giron of Guatemala and Ambassador Mohamed Mijarul Quayes of Bngladesh.
more »
President Adamkus expressed his confidence that through his personal example, commitment and dedicated work Mr. Zuma would unite the people of South Africa for the common cause of building a prosperous, secure and open state.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus participated in the conference "Five Years of EU Membership: Lithuania's European Policies" held at the Seimas.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and Mrs. Alma Adamkienė bade farewell in Vilnius Airport to King Juan Carlos I who completed his state visit to Lithuania.
more »
President Adamkus had a meeting with King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain on a two-day state visit to Lithuania.
more »
The President and the Prime Minister together with the line ministers discussed the pension reform and the situation of the state budget and the social security fund, SODRA.
more »
Wednesday, May 6, will start with the welcoming ceremony for H.M. King and Queen of Spain by President Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania and Mrs. Alma Adamkienė.
more »