Sierra Leone arms handover resumes

Oluyemi Adeniji works alongside the largest peackeeping force in the world

The United Nations special representative in Sierra Leone says the stalled disarmament programme aimed at securing an end to more than a decade of fighting is to resume on Saturday.

Mr Oluyemi Adeniji told the BBC that the concerns of the rebels in the key districts of Bo and Bombali had been addressed.

They had expressed concern about some of the local arrangements for the surrender of weapons, and asked for security guarantees for their supporters.

The rebels on Thursday held talks with government officials and reaffirmed their commitment to the stalled disarmament program.

So far about 18,000 combatants have disarmed under the UN-sponsored programme, including about half the rebel force.

Government troops have deployed in several areas across the country formerly controlled by rebels as disarmament continues district by district.

British troops are also in Sierra Leone training soldiers and helping the government build a professional army.