Sudanese government says rebels to release 26 prisoners

KHARTOUM, Oct 08, 2003 (dpa) — Darfurs Sudan Liberation Movement rebels plan to release 26 government prisoners Thursday, the state-run SUNA news agency reported Wednesday.

The prisoners will be handed over to government representatives at the tri-partite committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement, said SUNA in a report citing a source in the president’s office.

Release of the prisoners was called for in the ceasefire pact between the government and rebels in August.

U.N. officials have estimated about 3,000 people have been killed in the fighting and 400,000 made homeless in western Sudan.