CAR rebels sign peace pact

2007-02-04 22:26

Sirte - A peace accord which includes an immediate ceasefire has been signed in Libya by the government of the Central African Republic and a major rebel group, an AFP correspondent said on Saturday.

Under the accord, signed late on Friday by CAR justice minister Paul Otto and rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine, the rebels will be integrated into civilian life or absorbed into the army, and rebel prisoners are to be freed.

The peace deal was facilitated by Libyan leaderMuammar Gaddafi and came after Miskine held first-ever talks with Central African President Francois Bozize on January 25 in the Libyan town of Sirte on the sidelines of a Community of Sahel-Saharan States summit.

'Historic moment'

"It's an historic moment. The peace deal was signed with those who chose the path of peace and reconstruction," Otto said after Friday night's signing ceremony, which was also attended by Bozize and Kadhafi.

"Abdoulaye Miskine can return to the country whenever he wants," the minister added.

Gaddafi hailed the ceasefire accord.

"I have confidence that President Bozize and Abdoulaye Miskine will respect the agreement," he said.

"Dialogue and democracy are the best methods to resolve our problems."

Government 'corrupt'

Miskine presented himself as the head of general staff of a rebel coalition - including the Union of Democratic Forces for the Rally (UFDR) - who have been trying to topple Bozize's government, claiming that it is corrupt.

Another UFDR leader, Abakar Sabone, is due to sign the agreement from his cell in Contonou, Benin's economic capital, where he was detained under an international arrest warrant on January 25, a Libyan official said.

Sabone will be freed as soon as he signs the accord, the official added.

Another rebel group, the Popular Army for the Restoration of the Republic, is still active in the northwest of the country.

- AFP