11.   In Madrid this month, the two sides approved a three-month plan for the remaining rebels to lay down their arms and return to society.

12.   It has been suggested that the rebels would lay siege to Kishasa once Mobutu left and not allow him to return.

13.   Jobe met Wednesday with government officials who said they were ready to enter into talks if the rebels laid down their weapons.

14.   Moscow says the rebels must lay down their weapons and abandon their drive for independence.

15.   Robledo, who initially refused to step aside, said in a television interview Tuesday night he would reconsider if rebels laid down their arms.

16.   The army said the rebels were laying bombs along the highway when the explosion occurred.

17.   The Gambian mediator met with government officials Wednesday who said they were ready to enter into talks if the rebels laid down their weapons.

18.   The government has insisted that rebels lay down their arms and free all hostages before it will negotiate directly.

19.   The government wants the rebels to lay down their arms, set a time frame for political discussions and agree for other Tamil political parties to participate.

20.   The rebels were laying bombs along the highway when the explosion occurred, Carreno said.