ZAIRE's government yesterday rejected a ceasefire with rebels who have captured much of the country's east and launched air raids against a rebel held town, killing at least six people according to eyewitness reports.
"The government stresses that it cannot accept a ceasefire with unidentified belligerents," the Foreign Minister, Mr Kamanda wa Kamanda, said shortly before he met the UN special envoy, Mr Mohammed Sahnoun, who is trying to end the war.
At the same time, Zaire stepped up its counteroffensive against Tutsi led rebels who have made large territorial conquests since taking up arms last October.
An aid worker in the rebel headquarters of Goma said three government jets bombed the rebel held east Zairean city of Bukavu just after 4 p.m. (2 p.m. Irish time). Another aid worker in Bukavu said loud explosions echoed through Bukavu and panic stricken residents ran for cover.
The government accuses the rebels of waging a proxy war for Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda - which deny involvement. The government statement implied Zaire could consider a truce.
"Any ceasefire with the regular armies of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi must be linked to the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Zaire," the statement said.
Zaire used the occasion of the UN mission to blame the world body for a threat by the rebel leader, Mr Laurent Kabila, to attack Tingi Tingi refugee camp near the city of Kisangani.