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KIGALI, Feb 16 (AFP) - Tutsi rebels fired heavy artillery at the northwestern town of Ruhengeri Tuesday, ignoring a one-week truce called for Monday night by the Hutu-dominated Rwandan government, informed sources said in the capital Kigali.
They said Rwandan troops also repulsed an attack by rebels of the mostly Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front on the Mukungwa dam, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Ruhengeri.
But in Byumba, in the northeast of the tiny highland country, the rebels were able to take over two new districts in addition to the seven they held when a cease-fire was called in July.
In announcing Monday night's unilateral truce, the government had urged the rebels to not only hold their fire but also withdraw to the positions they held before they launched a major offensive a week ago.
Meanwhile, representatives Rwanda's aid donors met with Prime Minister Dismas Nsengiyaremye and told him that they believed the crisis committee set up to deal with refugees was inadequate, officials said.
The committee was set up to care for 40,000 people, but their number has soared to 60,000. The donors suggested that the committe be placed under the prime minister's direct control.
mgu/cp/f AFP AFP SEQN-0263
