Johnny Paul Koroma, Ordered unconditional release of all hostages
Six Sierra Leonian men have been released from captivity by a rebel faction, who last week seized 37 hostages. The remaining captives, including UN military observers and five British soldiers, are still being held about 50 miles to east of the capital Freetown. Sierra Leone rebel leader, Johnny Paul Koroma, said that he was working to secure the release of all hostages by tonight. The six who were released were the six Sierra Leonian drivers who had gone in as part of the team to collect the 150 abductees already being held.
In a BBC interview, Mr. Koroma, said that he had spoken with his supporters and ordered the unconditional release of all the hostages, including some 100 children. Mr. Koroma, who was speaking from the Liberian capital Monrovia, also said claims that he had been held captive by the rival United Revolutionary Front were unfounded. The rebels had been demanding Mr. Koroma's release from the hands of the rival gang in return for the freedom of the hostages.
