BBC News Online: World: Africa

UN lifts Unita travel curbs

Unita: Embargoes on arms, diamonds and oil remain

The UN Security Council has suspended a travel ban that was preventing members of Unita, the former rebel movement in Angola, from travelling abroad.

This travel ban was imposed on members of the Unita rebel movement while Angola's violent civil war was still raging five years ago.

But following the death of the Unita leader Jonas Savimbi earlier this year, there is now a ceasefire, so the Security Council has decided to suspend the restriction for 90 days.

The Security Council said it recognised the need for Unita leaders to be able to travel to help promote the peace process and national reconciliation.

The UN said the suspension could be extended depending on the pace of progress towards national reconciliation.

The vote does not affect embargoes on arms, oil and diamond sales, and financial restrictions, all imposed on Unita over the past decade.

UN officials had recommended the move in order to facilitate peace talks, but it is bound to be seen as well as a reward to Unita for its cooperation in the peace process.