But the United States said the rebels had executed two of the three crewmen after the crash.

The rebels executed two more of the Katanganese insurgents this morning in a public square.

He reported that about 100 people were killed in the fighting and that the rebels executed some 20 city officials while in control.

In January 1793, the rebels executed the King.

Mr. Shevardnadze said the rebels "executed scores of officials, policemen and ordinary citizens."

"I thought the rebels had executed all the clergymen."

In general, however, the rebels only executed particularly vicious or greedy noblemen; those who freely submitted were released on parole.

In September, the rebels kidnapped three drivers and executed one to put pressure on the company.

The rebels captured and killed 10 government soldiers, beat them up and then executed them with automatic weapons.

A witness said: "The driver was shot and the bus crashed, then the rebels ordered passengers to come out and executed them one by one."