(5 May 1997) Natural Sound
Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko left Pointe Noire on Monday to return to the Zairian capital of Kinshasa.
Peace talks between the ailing dictator and rebel leader Laurent Kabila on Sunday failed to make any breakthroughs.
On Monday, Zairian rebels appeared poised for a final assault on the capital as Mobutu's empire crumbles.
Officials in the Congo laid out the red carpet for Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko as he left for the Zairian capital of Kinshasa.
The 66-year-old ailing dictator, who's suffering from prostate cancer, left Congo empty handed after face-to-face talks with Zaire's rebel leader Laurent Kabila on Sunday.
And despite Mobutu's apparent desperation to cling on to power, it's becoming increasingly clear that he has few options left.
Troops loyal to Kabila reportedly advanced to within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of Kinshasa, Zaire's sprawling capital of about six (m) million people.
After Sunday's meeting, international mediators read a statement indicating that the rebel troops would pause in their relentless advance across this vast Central African nation while peace efforts continued.
But Kabila said his troops would drive on towards the capital.
The rebel leader has told reporters that his troops are targeting the international airport in Kinshasa: the very place Mobutu landed just hours later on Monday.
Sources close to Mobutu say his army will be ready to defend Kinshasa should Kabila attack.
The two leaders have agreed to meet again aboard a navy vessel in ten days to continue peace talks.
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