9 Soldiers, 10 Rebels Killed in Skirmishes

Clashes between the army in the central African nation of Burundi and ethnic Hutu rebels left 10 guerrillas and nine soldiers dead, officials said. The soldiers were killed in an ambush Friday while on patrol in Kibera forest, a base of rebel activity in the north, a senior army officer said. Rebels also wounded 12 soldiers and stole uniforms and several automatic rifles. The officer also said 10 rebels were killed during army operations Thursday in the southern province of Bururi. The latest trouble came as former South African President Nelson Mandela met with President Pierre Buyoya and the army’s high command in Bujumbura, the capital.