Sierra Leone President flies in summit

Accra (Greater Accra), 18th May ?99 ?

President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone said on Monday that his government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels have made progress in their peace talks currently taking place in Lome, Togo.

He said the RUF's decision to transform itself into a political party is welcomed since his country's constitution allows for freedom of association.

"The people of Sierra Leone are tired of war and conflicts which have had a devastating effect on them," he said, adding that ''for the past eight years all governments have been fighting the rebels''.

President Kabbah was speaking to reporters on arrival at the Kotoka International airport for the fifth African-African American Summit, which got underway on Monday.

He said he would fly to Lome to hold direct talks with Foday Sankoh, leader of the RUF adding that a meeting of foreign ministers of the committee of six on Sierra Leone will be held on May 24 this year to deliberate on the peace proposals of both parties.

Kabbah said while in Ghana he would hold discussions with his Ghanaian counterpart, Jerry Rawlings, on the situation in his country, which he hoped, would bring a lasting solution to the war.

President Rawlings on his part said the presence of President Kabbah would offer the opportunity for both leaders to discuss issues relating to peace and tranquillity, which he described as a foundation to the way forward.