The United States, Britain and France have turned down requests from the United Nations to send troops to Sierra Leone where UN peacekeepers have been involved in clashes with rebels. Four Kenyan soldiers serving with the UN were killed. The UN Secretary General is trying to gain support for a rapid reaction force to go to Sierra Leone urgently rather than wait for reinforcements due next month. More than 90 UN personnel are being held hostage by the rebels. The rebel leader, Foday Sankoh who had previously denied the hostage taking, has said that a small number will be released today. A spokeswoman for the Secretary General said that diplomatic efforts to free the hostages were continuing.
