The commander of the West African peace-keeping force in Sierra Leone, Major General Gabriel Pamba has visited the rebel stronghold of Koidu , for the first time since the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the government and rebel forces last year.

The visit was at the invitation of former rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, who accompanied Major General Pamba.

Correspondents say the visit was intend to promote reconciliation almost a decade of brutal fighting.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service