Freetown - Sierra Leone's embattled president has announced a dramatic policy change, agreeing to talk to rebels who have unleashed a reign of terror in an attempt to overthrow him. President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah said in a broadcast on Sunday night that he would allow the detained rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, to attend the peace talks.
But President Kabbah said the rebels must first recognise the legitimacy of his government and halt all armed attacks on civilians, while presenting no pre-conditions.