Rebel troops surrender

2005-01-04 21:57

Lima - Mutinous Peruvian soldiers surrendered on Tuesday after their leader was arrested, ending three days of talks after they stormed and took over a police station in a southeastern Andean city.

After the arrest of retired major Antauro Humala, the Peruvian government negotiated with the remaining soldiers barricaded in the police station in Andahuaylas, estimated to be about 50.

Earlier on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the mutineers said in a telephone interview with a radio station that they remained ready to surrender. "We want to negotiate, but if there is an attack, we will defend ourselves," he said.

About 280 reservists took over the police station in the city about 400km southeast of Lima on Saturday, killing four officers. Humala then demanded the resignation of President Alejandro Toledo.

He eventually dropped that demand and agreed to give up his arms on Monday, but that agreement fell through when he placed more conditions on his followers' surrender.

Humala was captured during further talks at the mayor's office in Andahuaylas, authorities said, after he made unacceptable demands and kept changing his position. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA