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LUSAKA, July 7 (AFP) - Former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba has been ordered not to leave the country until he has appeared in court to answer allegations of corruption and theft, police said Sunday.

Chiluba was scheduled to leave Sunday for Durban, South Africa where he has been invited to attend next week's summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Chiluba is due to appear in a local magistrate's court on Monday as a witness in the case of a former intelligence chief, Xavier Chungu. Lawyers are trying to prove Chiluba used Chungu to steal from state coffers while in office.

"You are instructed not to travel out of the country until you have appeared before the court," said the order written by police inspector general, Francis Musonda.

However, there were conflicting reports in the state-run press.

The Sunday Mail quoted presidential aide Arthur Yoyo as saying President Levy Mwanawasa had reversed the police order.

"The President has directed Musonda to write to Chiluba giving permission for him to travel," Yoyo told the paper.

The Sunday Times, meanwhile, reported that Chiluba had decided not to attend the summit. - Nampa-AFP

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