Kenneth Kaunda, the jailed ex-leader of Zambia who has been held in connection with a foiled coup plot, has been released from prison and placed under house arrest.

Tiyaonse Kabwe, of Zambia's Unit Party, discusses Mr Kaunda's future (2'03")

President Frederick Chiluba said he was signing an order to release Mr Kaunda following meetings with Tanzanian envoy and veteran statesman, Julius Nyerere, and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

Julius Nyerere called for Mr Kaunda's release

President Chiluba said he had received and listened to "reasonable requests" from elder African statesman.

Mr Kaunda was freed from Mukobeko maximum security prison in Kabwe, 80 miles north of Lusaka. He was then flown to the capital and held at his home.

Conditions were attached to his release.

Mr Kaunda, independent Zambia's founding father and a leading opposition politician, will not be permitted to participate in politics until his case is over.

Mr Chiluba also specified that no people would be allowed within 100 metres of Mr Kaunda's home and he should not give any press interviews.

The announcement followed intense international and domestic pressure.

Britain, the United States, South Africa, Botswana, Libya and the Organisation for African Unity all called for the government to charge or free Mr Kaunda.

Junior army officers staged a coup in October

Many of Mr Kaunda's supporters were angry and said that this time, Mr Chiluba, who ousted Mr Kaunda from power seven years ago, had gone too far.

Mr Kaunda was arrested three days after he returned from two months abroad. The government alleged that Mr Kaunda was involved in a coup attempt in October, staged by junior army officers.

He had refused food and water since his arrest last Tuesday.
 

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