The United Nations spokesman in Sierra Leone, Francis Okello, says the UN military observer mission there is resuming its work.

Mr Okello said there had been a steady improvement in the situation with the help of the Nigerian-led Ecomog intervention force and that several ex-patriate observers and other staff had returned to Freetown.

Latest reliable reports say the Ecomog force and troops loyal to the government have stopped a rebel advance on the strategically important town of Porto Loko, .

The BBC's West African Correspondent who is in Freetown says there are fears that the fighting will divide the country between North and South if a long-term political solution is not found.