Gambia democracy date

Banjul - Gambia's military leader told a 30,000-strong crowd in the national stadium he would return the country to democratic rule by December 1998.

Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh toppled president Sir Dawda Jawara in a bloodless coup on 22 July, claiming he would go back to barracks once corruption had been rooted out.

Yesterday he also promised a new constitution and electoral reform, and to retructure the security service, honour international commitments, crack down on crime and corruption, and encourage an open, free-market economy.

Reuter