FREETOWN (AFP) - The U.N. force in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is expected to hold high-level talks with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) on deploying U.N. troops in RUF-held areas, diplomatic sources said Thursday.
The meeting was to take place on Friday at Mile 91, 110 kilometers (70 miles) east of Freetown, said the sources.
Discussions were expected to focus on the deployment of UNAMSIL troops in RUF-held areas, as mandated under the Abuja ceasefire agreement signed November 11th, one diplomat said.
The RUF has signed ceasefires before. The 1999 Lome peace accord fell apart in May this year when the RUF seized hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers.
Diplomats said the RUF delegation would be led by acting leader General Issa Sesay, and would include spokesman Gibril Massaquoi and field commander Maurice Kallon.
Foday Sankoh, the RUF's historic leader, is being held in a government prison.
UNAMSIL force commander Brigadier General Daniel Opande will lead the U.N. delegation.
As of late Thursday, there was no official confirmation of the meeting.
