The armed anti-government rebels, however, chose not to field candidates and called on their supporters to boycott the elections.

Both Washington and human rights groups had dismissed the military's claim that the killings were the work of anti-Government rebels.

But the couple said that they had no role in the payment of any ransom and that the hostage-takers were common criminals, not anti-Government rebels.

Repeated attacks by anti-Government rebels have caused damage and death.

Police believe the same gang of anti-Government rebels carried out the two incidents, local farmers say.

The site is under military guard, ostensibly to protect it from attack by anti-government rebels of the New People's Army.

Somalia said that its forces had been pursuing anti-government rebels.

Plane loads of weapons said to be coming from Eritrea were sent to anti-government rebels in southern Somalia.

In the last two days, more towns in southern Albania tumbled to anti-Government rebels.

On 29 March 2013 the town was reportedly captured by anti-government rebels.