17 Killed Ahead of Inauguration

Fighters opposed to Gen. Denis Sassou-Nguesso, the winner in the nation’s civil war, killed 17 members of his militia in an ambush south of the capital, Brazzaville. The militia members were ambushed while trying to dislodge pockets of resistance from fighters loyal to ousted President Pascal Lissouba. The attack came as preparations began for Sassou-Nguesso’s weekend inauguration. Sassou-Nguesso is expected to arrive in Brazzaville today. His spokesman said it will be a low-key event for security reasons. Lissouba, in exile in Burkina Faso, has yet to admit defeat, and skirmishes continue.