The government team are studying rebel demands for political and military reforms in Ivory Coast.

However, two rebel leaders, Cherif Ousmane and Tuo Fozie, have already left Lome reportedly saying that little progress had been made.

Mediators though are talking up the progress being made and saying they are hopeful an agreement can be signed.

The talks have still to tackle two key issues. The rebels want to see Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo step down and fresh elections held. The government want the rebels to disarm.

The BBC's reporter at the talks says it remains difficult to see where the ground for compromise lies.

Direct talks

The negotiations - in the Togolese capital, Lome - have been organised by the West African regional body, Ecowas. They follow a truce which has held for two weeks. They are being mediated by Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema.

The rebels want President Gbagbo to step down

Hundreds of people have been killed, and thousands more driven from their homes during the crisis, which has cut Ivory Coast in half. Troops from the former colonial power, France, have been acting as a buffer between the two sides.

About 2,000 soldiers from eight West African countries are scheduled to arrive for peacekeeping duties within the next two weeks as Ivory Coast's neighbours work to calm the situation.

The violence began after a failed coup attempt against the Ivorian president.