Ivory Coast Rebels Remain in Peace Talks

In the African country of Ivory Coast, rebels who have rejected parts of the peace plan drafted by West African mediators say they will continue negotiations with the government. It appears that the government's insistence on the immediate disarmament of the rebels is the main obstacle. They state that they will not comply with this demand until a final peace agreement is signed. The rebels claim that the draft plan favors the government and allows President Laurent Gbagbo to maintain his power. The rebels are calling for early elections, which the government has rejected. On Thursday, the rebels presented reciprocal proposals to the President of Togo. The rebels of Ivory Coast say they will remain in the peace talks being held in Lome, the capital of Togo, even if they have rejected the proposed peace plan by the West African mediators. In rejecting this proposal, the rebels stated that the plan benefits President Laurent Gbagbo and allows him to stay in power. The rebels demand elections, but the government has rejected this proposal. They say that in today's meeting, which will include mediators, they will propose other plans. Two weeks ago, Gnassingbe Eyadema, the President of Togo, was acting as a mediator to end the conflict between the rebels and the government of Ivory Coast. In this conflict, which has divided Ivory Coast into two parts, hundreds have been killed.