The disarmament of rival military forces in Guinea Bissau is due to begin today, the Portuguese news agency Lusa reported. Quoting Guinea Bissau Defence Minister Francisco Benante, it said the operation due to begin in Bissaque, scene of the recent heaviest fighting, would last about 45 days. Benante, who met senior officers from both sides on Wednesday to discuss plans for disarmament, said loyalist forces and the rebel Military Junta had agreed to integrate their forces and maintain the military ranks held before the rebellion of 7 June 1998. Guinean and Senegalese forces backing the government will complete their withdrawal by the extended deadline of 16 March, Benante said. They are being replaced by the West African peacekeeping force, ECOMOG, under a peace treaty signed in November 1998 between Guinea Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira and Junta leader, Brigadier General Ansumane Mane.
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