Mobutu suspends Zaire council

KINSHASA (AP) - President Mobutu Sese Seko, seeking once more to maintain his grip on power and delay democracy, yesterday suspended a council that was to administer the nation until democratic elections. Although Mr Mobutu did not explicitly fire his arch-rival the Prime Minister, Etienne Tshisekedi, he said a senior civil servant would 'co-ordinate' the day-to-day running of the government, at least temporarily.

He reiterated a demand that Mr Tshisekedi appoint a new government, even though the High Council he suspended was to help form a transitional parliament. Buana Kabue, leader of Zaire's Human Rights League, indicated the High Council likely would ignore Mr Mobutu's announcement, which was made on state-run radio.