By Vision reporter           
   
Leaders from areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda have resolved to reach out to the rebels and encourage them to return to their communities.

They have also appealed for no offensive operations against the LRA without effective measures being undertaken to protect civilians.

Patrick Luwum, the programmes coordinator for Acholi Religious leaders Peace Initiative (ARPI) on Sunday handed a copy of the resolutions which were arrived at during the Regional Civil Society Task Force meeting held in Bangui, Central African Republic between September 3 and 6.

It was attended by members of Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative, Gulu district reconciliation and peace team and Ker Kwaro Acholi among others.

The regional task force meeting that was organized by Conciliation Resources - UK, was attended by religious, traditional and civil leaders as well as civil society organisations in northern Uganda, Southern Sudan, DR Congo and Central African Republic to find peaceful ways of ending the LRA conflict.

 The religious, traditional and civil leaders also resolved to engage their governments and Parliaments to be more present in LRA affected areas that are isolated and far from the capitals with negligible services, security and communication infrastructure.