The United Nations special envoy to Angola, Alioune Blondin Beye, says that,with only hours to go before a deadline he set for the full implementation of the country's peace accords, the former rebel movement UNITA is still refusing to make concessions.

Mr Beye was speaking after six hours of talks at the UNITA headquarters in Andulowith its leader, Jonas Savimbi.

He said there had been no progress on the main outstanding issue - the handover of towns still under UNITA control.

The UN envoy has threatened to resign and recommend economic sanctions against UNITA if it fails to comply with the accords -- signed four years ago.

A BBC correspondent in Angola says it's already clear that this latest deadline will not be met.