Washington renewed demands for better cooperation from Syria in war on terror. U.S. says Syria supporting terrorists, pursuing WMD, and allowing anti-Coalition fighters to cross into Iraq. Syria denied allegations it has been operating spy ring at Guantanamo Bay.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI reiterated commitment to cooperating with UN over Western Sahara. Polisario Front released 243 Moroccan POW’s held in south- western Algeria. UN Security Council repeated its call to free 900 remaining detainees in compliance with international humanitarian law.

Government continues to walk fine line between supporting U.S. in war on terror and appeasing largely anti- American populace. Authorities handed over to Saudi Arabia suspected al Qaeda member thought to have had role in May Riyadh bombings.

Following death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in February 2002, UNITA has demobilised but most of its ex- combatants yet to be reintegrated into civilian life. National elections planned for 2004 or 2005. Millions displaced during war still not resettled.

President Ndayizeye held his second face-to-face talks with leader of the country’s biggest rebel group, CNDD-FDD, in South Africa. Talks discussed proposals to share government, military and parliamentary posts and comply with last year’s largely ignored ceasefire agreement. The second largest rebel group, FNL, still refuses to join talks with Government. Fighting between army and FNL in north-western Burundi caused more than 21,000 people to flee.

Democratically elected president of CAR overthrown in coup on 15 March 2003 by General Francois Bozize, who has promised to hold presidential elections by end of 2004. CAR closed its border with DR Congo on 21 August. CAR issued international warrant for arrest of former president, Ange-Felix Patasse, on charges of murder and theft of more than $100 million.

Power-sharing government under threat after 11 men arrested in France on 23 August, accused of plot to assassinate President Gbagbo. Government and former rebels deadlocked over who should control defence and security ministries. 2 French soldiers killed in clashes with rebels on 25 August. Security Council voted on 4 August to extend mandate of French and ECOWAS peacekeeping forces to 4 February 2004. Parliament granted amnesty on 6 August to former rebels holding north of country.

President Joseph Kabila and former rebel leaders agreed on senior officers for new army, removing another stumbling block to peace. This completes installation of new transition government. Transition parliament had opening session on 22 August. Militias in war-devastated province of Ituri agreed to work with new government to restore security to the province. French-led peace-keeping force in Ituri handed over posts to beefed-up UN mission (MONUC) on 31 August, which formally takes over on 1 September.

Outstanding border issues causing increased anxiety. UN mission (UNMEE) accused Ethiopian soldiers of making incursions into border security zone. International Boundary Commission will soon attempt to demarcate the border, although elements in Ethiopian Government have signalled reluctance to cooperate.

In July U.S. warned Guinea against providing supplies to LURD rebels in Liberia. Liberia in past has led incursions in Guinea with support of Guinean dissidents based in Liberia - Guinea now returning favour in Liberia. Guinea’s presidential elections scheduled for December 2003. Lansana Conté, Guinea’s 69 year old president, has declared candidacy, but believed to be critically ill. EU expressed concern over democracy in Guinea.