Freetown - The chances of a prompt ceasefire in Sierra Leone receded sharply yesterday when the President, Mr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, ruled out a quick release of the detained rebel leader, Cpl Foday Sankoh.
As aid agencies issued a warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in the West African country, Mr Kabbah's first reaction to the rebels' conditional ceasefire offer on Thursday was uncompromising. He said Sierra Leone's parliament would have to endorse any plan to release Corp Sankoh, founder and leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).