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Negotiators for Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF) are consulting their guerrilla commanders on whether or not to accept a peace deal aimed at ending eight years of civil war, sources close to the negotiations in Lome told IRIN on Monday. The sources could not give details of the proposed deal but one said both sides were “very close to an agreement”. The deal hinges on the number of cabinet positions to be offered the RUF, according to another source contacted by IRIN as well as various news reports. The BBC reported that the RUF were being offered four full cabinet positions and three minor ones in a government led by Sierra Leonean President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. RUF negotiators have gone to Vahun, Liberia, to consult with guerrilla field commanders, including the head of the guerrilla force, Sam Bockerie. Sources said members of the government and RUF delegations were expected back in Lome on Tuesday or Wednesday.

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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