Mr Savimbi remains hunkered down in the central highlands, around the towns of Nharea, Mungo, Andulo and Bailundo, the symbolic capital of his Ovimbundu people.

ECONOMIST: Angola

Another advance, north-east out of Huambo, has passed through the ruins of Bailundo and is said to be bogged down in fighting on the road to Andulo.

ECONOMIST: Angola: Battling, in the rain | The

However, the most telling revelation of these televised images was that, contrary to expectations, both Bailundo and Andulo appear to have emerged from the government's offensive virtually unscathed.

ECONOMIST: Angola