More talks over Sierra Leone captives

The abducted men are from the Royal Irish Regiment

Negotiations are continuing over the release of the hostages - including British soldiers - held by renegade militiamen in Sierra Leone.

On Thursday the Sierra Leone Government rejected the demands of the West Side Boys militia, who are holding six British soldiers and one Sierra Leonean.

The rebels spoke on Thursday to the BBC's Focus on Africa programme, calling for the release of their supporters from jail and a review of the country's peace agreement.

Our thoughts and concerns remain with the remaining six, and also the Sierra Leonean army officer who is part of the group still being held

Lieutenant Commander Tony Cramp

The West Side Boys also want to be integrated into the government army.

British Forces spokesman Lieutenant Commander Tony Cramp said negotiations were continuing in a "calm and positive manner" to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

"There is no time plan," he added.

The Sierra Leonean Information Minister, Julius Spencer, told the BBC that the militias had made no demands directly to the government and that the demands broadcast on the BBC would not be met.

He said the government would not be subjected to such pressure, and warned the militia to stop their "criminal" action.

A total of 11British soldiers were captured last Friday. Five were released on Wednesday.

Satellite phone

The militia spokesman, who identified himself as "Colonel Cambodia", was speaking to the BBC on a satellite phone given to the group by the British.

He said their captives were well and being properly fed and provided with adequate medicine and shelter - but other reports suggest that the most senior officer in the group had been beaten by his captors.

"Colonel Cambodia" said the six would not be released until their demands are met.

Mr Spencer said current members of the group under arrest were being held for criminal activities and warned the West Side Boys they risked criminal charges if they continued with their actions.

He said all groups who wanted to join the army were to go through the government's disarmament programme.

Rebels are demanding food, medicine and release of their leader

Mr Spencer also dismissed reports that members of the group who had been disarmed were not being treated properly.

The BBC correspondent in Freetown, Mark Doyle, said five of the British soldiers were released at about the same time as the satellite phone became available to the West Side Boys.

He said it is possible that the five were effectively swapped for the communications equipment.

But the British military spokesman insisted: "We have done no deal with the West Side Boys."

British army officials have not made public the details of how the release of the five soldiers was secured, and in particular whether it or the Sierra Leonean Government had made any concessions in return.

The troops, from the Royal Irish Regiment, were captured by the West Side Boys last Friday.

The five released soldiers are currently in Freetown after being set free on Wednesday.

A British Army spokesman, Brigadier Gordon Hughes, said the men were resting after being debriefed at a military barracks in the capital.