Foreign Troop Aid Likely, Official Says

Zaire has chartered planes to bring troops from Morocco, Togo and Chad to help its army contain a rebel campaign that has spread to mineral-producing Shaba province in the south, a senior Defense Ministry official said. “Togo, Morocco and Chad are all prepared to send troops along with materials. Egypt has offered materials mostly to equip the infantry,” he said. The official, who requested anonymity, could not give a definite date for the troops’ arrival but added that China and Israel will help train 13 commando brigades of 2,000 men each at bases in Shaba, Upper Zaire and Equator provinces. Tutsi-led rebels who have been battling the Zairian army since October in eastern Zaire have extended their campaign and the territory they hold from the borders of Rwanda and Uganda south into Shaba province. Rebel leaders now say their objective is to topple President Mobutu Sese Seko, who has ruled Zaire since 1965.