At four o'clock the rebel columns marched out from every street to unite their forces.

The rebel column was withdrawing after a fierce battle on Tuesday in which 100 rebels and 22 soldiers were killed, army officials said.

Peruvian Army helicopters and elite anti-guerrilla troops chased a rebel column deep into the jungle today, the military said.

Government troops are believed to be tracking the rebel column.

The final push started on Friday night, when the rebel column neared the airport and started battling the mercenaries defending its perimeter.

When the rebel column arrived at the airport Friday afternoon, the mercenaries began shelling them and the rebels returned the fire.

Later in the day, news agencies gave conflicting reports about the location of the rebel column.

Government troops ambushed the rebel column and dozens of rebels were killed or wounded.

Shortly before night fell Friday, with the crackle of gunfire still in the air, the first rebel columns marched into the city center.

The air force had been hitting rebel columns caught in the open while the navy had prevented the rebels from landing reinforcements along the coast.