Zimbabwe admits bombing rebel positions

In the Zimbabwean capital Harare, army spokesman Colonel Chancellor Diye confirmed that his forces were using air strikes and gunboats against the rebels - in what has been described as the fiercest fighting since the Lusaka ceasefire agreement - and would continue the offensive until they broke through to the Zimbabwean forces at Ikela, news organisations reported. "The forces there have been surrounded at the airport. The rebels are bombing them in their positions and are trying to cut off their supply lines to Ikela," the British Broadcasting Corporation quoted Colonel Charles Maredza as saying. Ikela had been designated an area of government control under the Lusaka accord, according to Diye.