Amnesty passed for Congo's ex-PM

Mr Kolelas has been trying to return home for several years

Congo-Brazzaville's parliament has approved an amnesty for former Prime Minister Bernard Kolelas.

He has been sentenced to death in absentia for alleged war crimes. He has been living in exile since 1997 when he was ousted in a bloody civil war.

President Denis Sassou-Nguesso allowed Mr Kolelas, 72, to return home briefly last month to bury his wife.

After the visit, the security forces tried to dislodge his supporters - the "Ninja" rebels - from the capital.

The amnesty bill, proposed by the president, was passed unanimously.

"But this amnesty law should be extended to all other political leaders in exile," said opposition lawyer Herve Ambroise Malonga.

Mr Kolelas, who has been living in Mali and France, has been trying to return home to clear his name since being sentenced in 2001 for alleged war crimes.

He says he will try to restore peace to his home region of Pool, south of the capital, Brazzaville, where Ninja rebels remain active.

He is a long-time opponent of Mr Sassou-Nguesso.