TECHNICAL teams representing Burundi’s government and one of the main Hutu rebel groups pursued preparatory talks on Friday to find a ceasefire framework, a South African government official said. “They worked until late last (Thursday) night and they are expected to continue this morning,” said South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s representative Lakela Kaunda. She said the parties were expected to meet until noon, when a plenary session would be held. On Thursday, Burundian president Pierre Buyoya told reporters he was optimistic that the ceasefire would soon be reached in the central African country’s eight-year civil war, which has claimed the lives of some 200 000 people, mostly civilians. – AFP