Ivory Coast rebel leader to become PM

Ivory Coast rebels have reached a deal with the government in which their leader will become prime minister as part of a peace plan.

Alain Lobognon, spokesman for the New Forces rebels, confirmed a local news report published on the group’s website that said rebel leader Guillaume Soro has been offered and accepted the post of prime minister in a new administration being organised to end years of unrest.

“This information is not false,” Lobognon said, speaking in the capital of Burkina Faso.

A spokesman for the president refused to comment.