Uganda peace deal 'will be done'

Government delegate Ruhakana Rugunda (L) threatened to walk out

A senior mediator at peace talks between the Ugandan government and rebels says he is confident they will reach a deal, despite initial problems.

Salva Kiir, president of southern Sudan's government, said both sides pledged to negotiate "in good faith".

The Lord's Resistance Army rebels have been tabling their demands in Juba on the fourth day of talks.

Last week, Uganda extended a deadline for thrashing out a peace deal in Juba in southern Sudan to 12 September.

"We want compensation for losses... we want a programme of national reconciliation and national unity... we want a new national army," LRA spokesman Obwonyo Olweny told the BBC.

The talks are considered north Uganda's best chance for peace in years.

Tension

The historic talks in southern Sudan had a difficult start when rebels accused the government of corruption and threatened to continue fighting.

The government delegation then called on LRA fighters to hand over their weapons if they wished to receive an amnesty.

Thousands have died in the two-decade conflict between the LRA and the government, and some two million have been forced to flee their homes.

Over the weekend, mediators were trying to calm tensions between government and rebel delegates.

The government side was angered by what it regarded as belligerent remarks by rebels at the opening ceremony.

Correspondents say the Ugandan delegation at one stage threatened to return home on what was scheduled to be the first full day of talks, last Saturday.

'Rude shock'

At the opening ceremony on Friday night, delegates from the LRA warned that the Ugandan government would be "in for a shock" if it thought the rebels were about to surrender.

HAVE YOUR SAY Kony's intention is to play over Ugandan politics and gain international fame for having been a thorn in Museveni's side Herbert Masaba, Kampala Send us your comments Ugandan views: Peace talks

The head of the government delegation, Ruhakana Rugunda, was more conciliatory, saying that they had come to negotiate and conclude peace.

The rebels - who have been promised an amnesty - have not sent their top leaders to the negotiations, but say they are willing to sign a ceasefire.

Few of the 17-member delegation have combat experience and many of them are based abroad.

It is debatable whether they have the influence to negotiate on behalf of the leadership in the bush, says the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Juba.

LRA leader Joseph Kony and four of his commanders are wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has offered them a full and guaranteed amnesty as long as they renounce violence.