SIERRA Leone’s government has expressed opposition to a rebel proposal for a four-year transition coalition, ahead of a round of peace talks on Wednesday between belligerents in the Togolese capital. The government said it “lacked the [constitutional] power” to set up a transitional authority. A call for such a regime is the key proposal made by the Revolutionary United Front, whose 10-member delegation is in Lome. The government also rejected a proposal for a new constitution, although it said it would consider amending the current one. Freetown rejected a call for the withdrawal of foreign troops, namely the Nigerian-led Ecomog intervention force battling rebels. On the proposed release of rebel chief Foday Sankoh, the government said it would “not hesitate” to free him, but would only do so “within the judicial and constitutional process.”