World IN BRIEF : EL SALVADOR : Rebels Hand Over Nicaraguan Missiles

Salvadoran rebels returned 17 surface-to-air missiles to Nicaraguan authorities but said they reserved the right to continue waging war against the Salvadoran government. Nine missiles were handed over to Nicaraguan and Mexican officials in the rebel stronghold of Perquin, 75 miles northeast of San Salvador, and eight were turned in at the Mexican Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, rebels and government officials said. The 17 missiles were bought illegally from Nicaraguan officers in October. The illegal arms deal had been an embarrassment to the rebels and had strained relations with the Nicaraguan government.