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RUF said to be considering safe passage for refugees

Ruud Lubbers, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said on Wednesday that Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels had indicated they might be willing to help create a safe corridor for tens of thousands of refugees trapped in southern Guinea. Said to be under consideration by the RUF is the possibility of creating a corridor between Forecariah in southwestern Guinea and Kambia district in Sierra Leone. "We will have to confirm this but it would be a positive development," UNHCR quoted Lubbers as saying. "We would also urge the RUF to apply the principle of humanitarian safety as broadly as possible, especially in the tri-state area where Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia meet." Lubbers met with Sierra Leonean officials for the second straight day since arriving Freetown on Tuesday on the second leg of a five-nation West African tour. He said he was working to obtain the support of the leaders of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia to allow safe passage for an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 refugees and internally displaced people trapped by fighting along their common borders. UNHCR also wants access for aid agencies from the Parrot's Beak - an area in southern Guinea that juts into Sierra Leone - to central Guinea to enable refugees to move to safer areas and receive food aid from stockpiles in Guinea. "I have so far been able to enlist the support of the presidents of Guinea and Sierra Leone for the establishment of humanitarian passage and possible safe return routes," Lubbers said. "But this will also need the cooperation of others, including RUF and Liberia, where I will travel tomorrow." The UNHCR chief began his West African trip in Guinea on Saturday, where he had talks with President Lansana Conte and other officials, before moving to Sierra Leone. His itinerary also includes Cote d'Ivoire and Mali.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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