Zaire - Kabila assumes power as head of state

(17 May 1997) T/I 10:44:19 Zairean rebel leader Laurent Kabila assumed power as head of state on Saturday (17/5) and ordered troops loyal to the ousted president Mobutu Sese Seko to surrender to his troops as they entered the capital Kinshasa. At a news conference in his stronghold of Lubumbashi, Kabila said the country's constitution would be suspended and that he would form a government of national salvation within 72 hours. SHOWS: LUBUMBASHI, ZAIRE 17/5 WS Rebel leader Laurent Kabila enters presser; SOT Kabila in french: "The Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL) assumes henceforth the authority of transition. The president of the AFDL, Mr. Laurent-Desire Kabila, assumes as of today the functions of head of state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo." Kabila SOT in French: "I call upon all government forces and special troops to lay down their arms before the forces for the Liberation of the Congo by 11.00 a.m. Kinshasa time (1000 GMT)." SOT Kabila in English: "I'm very happy to have succeeded. According to the report received from my generals, everybody was ready to receive orders from me. That is clear." RUNS: 1.58 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...