By Toby Helm, EU Correspondent, in Brussels

Emma Bonino, the European Commisioner for humanitarian aid, yesterday accused Laurent Kabila, the Zairean rebel leader, of creating a "slaughterhouse" in the east of the country.

"Massive human rights violations are taking place in territory controlled by rebels," she said. "These regions are being transformed into a slaughterhouse." She said Mr Kabila was not fit to rule Zaire and that leaders of this rebel alliance were either.'not in control of their troops or they are directly involved in hunting down Hutu refugees" .