Ethnic Rebels Bomb Utility Tower in Burma

Burmese officials say ethnic Karenni rebels have destroyed a utility tower in central Burma.

State media said the bombing today-Saturday disrupted the power grid between Lawpita, north of Rangoon and the northern town of Toungoo. The explosion did not hit the power station.

Further details about the attack were not immediately available.

The Karenni National Progressive Party signed a cease-fire agreement with the military government in 1995, but it quickly fell apart. The two sides have been fighting ever since.

On Friday, Burma's junta denied allegations by an international human rights group that it may have used chemical weapons in a recent attack against ethnic Karenni rebels.

Information for this report is provided by AP.