9 Reported Killed in Renewed Fighting

Rebels in Sierra Leone said at least nine people had been killed in new clashes with a pro-government militia despite a renewed cease-fire agreement last week.

A U.N. peacekeeping mission, sent to help end a 10-year civil war in the West African country, confirmed the fighting but said no details would be available until a patrol had been able to visit the area.

Revolutionary United Front spokesman Gibril Massaquoi said pro-government militiamen had attacked RUF positions on Sunday and were still engaged in serious fighting in the diamond fields of eastern Sierra Leone.