British soldiers held

Four British soldiers were reported yesterday to have been arrested in Congo, accused of stealing military equipment, Mary Braid writes. British officials said the soldiers were part of the international evacuation force based in Brazzaville, but insisted the incident was the result of a misunderstanding. Diplomats said they expected the soldiers to be released last night.

The police said they were arrested after stealing military equipment, but the British military say the men were innocent victims of an angry mob.