Civil war in Sierra Leone 'is over'

Sierra Leone's President shook hands with a rebel leader yesterday,declaring himself convinced that his nation's war was over.

President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and the Revolutionary United Front leader, Issa Sesay, met in the Catholic church at Koidu, one of the few buildings left intact after three years of rebel occupation in the diamond-rich Kono District. Mr Kabbah was accompanied by President Olesegun Obasanjo, of Nigeria, and Mali's President, Alpha Oumar Konare.

After the meeting, Mr Kabbah said: "From the discussion the three heads of states had with the RUF leadership, I am convinced the war is over."

A declaration that hostilities are over is no guarantee that they are, however. The RUF has signed peace accords three times only to resume fighting. But over the past year, the rebels have come under increasing pressure from forces of the United Nations, Britain and neighbouring Guinea. A ceasefire was signed in November and 16,000 rebels and their enemies in pro-government militias have disarmed.

Mr Kabbah credited General Sesay with speeding up peace efforts, and described yesterday's encounter as "a turning point in the disarmament process".(AP)