Nigeria's acting leader to meet ex-rebel leaders

Abuja, 25 March-(ANA)-Nigeria's Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will meet former rebel leaders from the oil-producing Niger Delta on Friday, hoping to get a federal amnesty programme back on track.

 "The meeting is to assure former militants of the commitment of the government to the post-amnesty programme and the development of the Niger Delta region," a presidency source told Reuters on Wednesday.

 Little progress has been made in implementing the amnesty programme, the most comprehensive peace effort in the Niger Delta for years, since President Umaru Yar'Adua fell seriously ill last November.

Recent militant attacks have threatened to undermine the peace process further and prolong the unrest, which has kept Nigeria from pumping much more than two thirds of its 3 million barrels per day oil capacity.(ANA)

FA/ANA/25 March 2010------