New rebel attack in Casamance

Rebels in the southern Senegalese province of Casamance have attacked another military outpost, this time near the southern town of Niassia.

Reports say both sides suffered casualties in the assault, which took place on Tuesday night -- at least two rebels and two soldiers are said to have been killed.

A BBC correspondent in Casamance says the outpost that came under fire is an important one, lying close to a strategic highway.

There've been a spate of attacks by a faction of the main rebel group the MFDC in recent weeks, mostly near the border with Guinea-Bissau. This has come despite hopes that the new President, Abdoulaye Wade, would find a resolution to the Casamance problem.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service