Rebels attack food trucks

Rebels in Sierra Leone looted four trucks taking essential food to the north and east of the country in two separate attacks on Monday, AFP reported. AFP quoted witnesses as saying the attacks occurred along the eastern and northern highways in areas previously cut off by fighting between Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels and government troops.

UNOMSIL observers increased

The UN Security Council authorised the provisional expansion of the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) from 70 to 210 military observers in a motion adopted on 20 August. It also agreed to beef up UNOMSIL's political, civil affairs, information, human rights and child protection elements.

The Security Council also called for "urgent and substantial" humanitarian help for Sierra Leone, especially parts of the country that relief agencies have been unable to reach. The Council said generous long-term aid was also needed for reconstruction, and economic and social recovery.

The Netherlands' UN representative, Arnold Peter Van Walsum, told the Council that fighters who killed civilians, hacked off limbs, raped or committed other atrocities during the eight-year war should be tried and not given amnesty, which the Lome peace agreement provides for.

"There is no peace without justice," Van Walsum said. He said international tribunals had been set up to remedy the culture of impunity and "Council owed it to the people of Sierra Leone to allow them recourse to the same remedies now open to victims of similar crimes elsewhere".

Argentina's Fernando Enrique Petrella said: "Granting a wide ranging general amnesty raised very important question marks."