Top Rebel Demands Release of Hostages

Sierra Leone’s feared rebel leader ordered rogue allies to free a group of hostages seized earlier this week and downplayed the threat the incident could pose to the West African country’s fragile peace. Foday Sankoh’s comments came as negotiators sought the release of about three dozen captured U.N. employees, aid workers, journalists and West African peacekeepers. Two hostages were freed Thursday night, including the only American. The people were kidnapped as they met with soldiers from Sierra Leone’s deposed junta, who had said they would free women and children captured during the country’s eight-year civil war.