Argentina may begin force-feeding guerrillas

The Argentine authorities have said they may have to begin force-feeding twelve jailed rebels if they continue with a long-running hunger strike.

The prisoners have been refusing meals for more than three months to press their demand that they be allowed to appeal against their life sentences.

The twelve were jailed for an attack in 1989 on an army base outside Buenos Aires, in which thirty-nine people died.

But on Thursday the Supreme Court ruled that they could not challenge their life terms and left the decision with President Fernando de la Rua.

Correspondents say he's reluctant to grant their appeal because of continuing public anger at the guerrilla group.

Their supporters say they could have just days to live.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service