The Ivory Coast Government and rebels have resumed talks in the latest attempt to end seven weeks of fighting and political deadlock.

They began closed door, face-to-face discussions at 1300 GMT after holding separate meetings with Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema in Lome, reports the French news agency, AFP.

There is a profound crisis in Ivory Coast, a crisis of identity

Guillaume Soro Rebel leader

A truce was agreed three weeks ago but both sides' political demands have not yet been addressed.

The government wants the rebels, who control about half the country to lay down their weapons, while the rebels are demanding President Laurent Gbagbo's resignation and new elections.

Also on Wednesday, defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States are meeting in Nigeria to discuss the composition of a 2,000 strong peacekeeping force to be deployed in Ivory Coast.

The force would replace French forces which are currently monitoring the truce.

Religious divide

The conflict has intensified ethnic and religious tension between the country's mostly Muslim north and largely Christian south.

The rebels from the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI) have taken control of the north, while the south is government-controlled.

Opposition leader Alassane Ouattara was barred from the elections which brought Mr Gbagbo to power in 2000 on the basis that he was not Ivorian, a ruling which caused outrage in northern Ivory Coast, where his RDR party enjoys considerable support.

"There is a profound crisis in Ivory Coast, a crisis of identity," rebel leader Guillaume Soro told Reuters news agency.

Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer of cocoa, the raw ingredient for chocolate.

Many cocoa workers are from neighbouring countries and there have been many attacks on these African expatriates in government-held areas, drawing protests from Ivory Coast's neighbours.

'Suicide'

On Monday, the rebels threatened to withdraw from discussions unless their political demands were put on the negotiating table.

The government said it was prepared to listen to all demands made by rebels but it was not prepared to "commit suicide".

The sign reads: 'I'm xenophobic, so what?'

The BBC's West Africa correspondent says the resumption of the talks will be a real test of whether the two sides are prepared for compromise or are just going through the motions.

The government last week agreed to a deal which would grant an amnesty to the rebels, and re-integrate mutineers into the army.

The talks were initially scheduled to restart on Monday but were postponed at the rebels' request.

Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands displaced in the fighting.

Both sides agreed last week to allow humanitarian aid to reach rebel-held regions and to grant "the immediate release of all civilian and military prisoners of war".