The main Nigerian rebel movements are holding formal peace talks with President Umaru Yar'Adua.

The rebels laid down their arms three weeks ago as part of an amnesty. On Saturday, representatives of one of the main militant movements, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, met with the president for two hours. They included Nobel-prize winning author Wole Soyinka and two former rebel commanders.

In 2006, Nigerian rebels began attacking oil installations in the Niger Delta in protest against the unfair distribution of oil revenues. The amnesty includes a 10 percent share of oil and gas revenues for the local population, which comes down to several hundred million euros a year. The president has promised that 870 million euros will be earmarked for the construction of roads, schools and hospitals in the Niger Delta. The rebels have announced that they will take up arms again should the government fail to deliver on its promises.

Photo: Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (Wikipedia)