Central Africa signs peace deal with rebels – Libya

Feb 2, 2007 (SIRTE, Libya) — The Central African Republic signed a Libyan-brokered peace accord on Friday with two rebel groups, Libyan officials said.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi watched the signing in his home town of Sirte in Libya alongside Central African President Francois Bozize, they said.

Under the deal, the government and the two rebel factions — the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) and the People’s Democratic Front — agreed to stop hostilities and allow the rebels to integrate the ranks of government security and military forces or public service administration.

The Central African Republic has long been racked by revolts and mutinies and has more recently had to deal with rebels and armed raiders spilling over from Sudan’s conflict-torn Darfur region, which it borders.

The government has previously accused the UFDR of having links with Darfur and including Sudanese and Chadian fighters.

(Reuters)