Senegal peace talks delayed

The main separatist movement in the southern Casamance region of Senegal says peace talks between rival factions due to be held in Gambia next week have been postponed.

The leader of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance, Augustin Diamacoune, said continuing differences between rival separatist factions and an upsurge of fighting in Casamance had forced the delay.

A BBC correspondent in Senegal says Mr Diamacoune has been praised by the government as a moderate and a peacemaker.

But he appears to be isolated from former colleagues who are hostile to a dialogue with the authorities.

Our correspondent says there's been little progress in consolidating a peace agreement signed three months ago between the government and Mr Diamacoune's group.

In recent weeks the Senegalese army has renewed military operations against rebels in the south.

Hundreds of people have been forced from their homes.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service