Rebels Cut Off Retreat for Rwandan Troops

GITARAMA, Rwanda —  Rebels cut off the last avenue of retreat Monday for government troops caught in the capital, Kigali, and overran a vital army barracks near Gitarama, the interim government’s stronghold.

The interim government retreated to Gitarama, about 25 miles southwest of Kigali, ahead of a rebel advance into the capital last month.

The government’s barracks at Nyanza, about 19 miles south of Gitarama, have fallen to the rebels, a visit there Monday showed. But the government has not fled Gitarama, contrary to rebel claims.

However, a U.N. source said earlier on condition of anonymity that the fall of Nyanza would be seen as a major blow to the army’s ability to defend the interim government stronghold at Gitarama.

The rebels’ seizure of the Nyanza barracks came as they and the army began U.N.-mediated cease-fire talks. U.N. spokesman Abdul Kabia said the sides agreed to meet again Thursday.