Kampala — RELIGIOUS leaders have asked the Government to find neutral ground for peace talks with Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

Richard Komakech reports that the religious leaders under the Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), have also asked the Government to reconsider its stand on the war in the north by renewing peace talks before a neutral party.

President Yoweri Museveni recently ordered the resumption of an offensive against the LRA after a ceasefire agreement aborted.

Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Mufti Shaban Mubajje and Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo said, "Arms are not a solution to conflict and we still have to find peace through dialogue although promises by the rebels were not respected,"

They were disappointment that the LRA did not respond to peace calls.

Wamala said the Italian government was willing to host and facilitate the resolution of the conflict.

He said the recent visit by the Italian deputy foreign minister, Senator Alfredo Mantica, included consultations on how the Italians could help in ending the 17-year-old conflict.

"This is welcome news, but will depend on the willingness of the LRA," Nkoyooyo said. Mubajje said the Government had shown readiness to end the conflict but the rebels had not.

The leaders were meeting the World Council on Religion and Peace programme director for conflict transformation, Angela Oliver, at archbishop Nkoyooyo's residence, Namirembe.