31.   But he refused to comment on a Zairean army statement that Ugandan troops had captured the Zairean town of Beni, north of Goma, on Saturday.

32.   But Otunnu noted that even in the demoralised Zairean army, there was widespread support for moves towards democracy.

33.   Civilians in this key government-held town are putting their trust in God rather than the Zairean army to preserve them as rebel forces draw ever closer.

34.   Diplomats agree the Zairean army is not strong enough to resist the rebels, who would easily take the city.

35.   Eastern Zaire was calm but tense Thursday after heavy cross-border arms fire early in the week between the Rwandan and Zairean armies, humanitarian sources said.

36.   Fighting flared for a second day Saturday between the Zairean army and ethnic Tutsi rebels near the eastern Zairean town of Uvira, aidworkers said.

37.   The minister was referring in particular to fighting which continued to rage on Saturday between armed Tutsis and the Zairean army in the Uvira region of eastern Zaire.

38.   The official, who gave his name as Mr. Saloum, said he had been informed of the decision by a Zairean army major.

39.   The shells came from positions west of the town where the Tutsi rebels say Rwandan Hutu militias and Zairean army forces are holed up.

40.   The rebels were said to have retaken some land on the route between Kisangani and Bukavu that the Zairean army seized last week with the help of foreign mercenaries.