Rebel delegation arrive in Togo for talks

A rebel delegation arrived in the Togolese capital, Lome, on Tuesday afternoon, to resume talks with the government of Cote d'Ivoire, sources in Lome told IRIN. The talks were to have resumed on Monday, but the rebels threatened to withdraw unless their "political demands" were included in the discussions. The demands include the resignation of President Laurent Gbagbo. The rebel representatives had traveled back to the central Ivorian town of Bouake at the weekend where they said they had not had enough time to consult with their leaders, humanitarian sources had told IRIN. The government was quoted as saying early on Tuesday that it was prepared to listen to "all demands" made by the rebels. However, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) quoted Information Minister Sery Bailly as saying the Ivorian authorities were not prepared to "commit suicide". The two delegations had adjourned their discussions on Friday and were to have continued on Monday. This week's discussions are scheduled to focus on political issues following agreement on Friday on a number of points related to the insurgents' involvement in the military. According to Friday's agreement, the government would submit a draft amnesty law to the National Assembly. The bill would relate to the liberation of imprisoned members of the military, the cessation of proceedings against people accused of jeopardising the security of the state, the return of soldiers from exile and their reintegration into the army, among other commitments.