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Congo general 'agrees to peace' Congo general 'agrees to peace'
(about 3 hours later)
The Democratic Republic of Congo's military has announced a peace deal with a dissident army general.The Democratic Republic of Congo's military has announced a peace deal with a dissident army general.
Laurent Nkunda has been leading a rebellion in the east, which has displaced thousands of people. Col Delphin Kiyimbi told the BBC that Laurent Nkunda's militia would be integrated into the national army.
Col Delphin Kiyimbi told the BBC, Gen Nkunda's militia were to be integrated into the national army by 21 January. But sources close to Mr Nkunda, who has been leading a rebellion in the east, said the pact was verbal and subject to fighters receiving pay and uniforms.
The agreement comes three months after Joseph Kabila was elected as DR COngo's first president in 40 years, as part of a peace process to end a civil war. The agreement comes three months after Joseph Kabila was elected as DR Congo's first president in 40 years.
Some 17,000 United Nations peacekeepers operate in the country, overseeing the peace process after the end of a bloody five-year war in 2002. About 17,000 United Nations peacekeepers operate in the country, overseeing the peace process after the end of a bloody five-year war in 2002.
'Asylum''Asylum'
The Congolese military says that, under the deal, Gen Nkunda will be given asylum in another country, despite outstanding war crimes charges against him.The Congolese military says that, under the deal, Gen Nkunda will be given asylum in another country, despite outstanding war crimes charges against him.
The BBC's Emery Makumeno in the capital, Kinshasa, says the rebels have not confirmed any agreement. But a rebel source, who asked not to be named, denied this. He told the BBC that Gen Nkunda's fate was still under discussion.
Rwanda has recently been hosting talks between representatives of the Congolese government and Gen Nkunda.Rwanda has recently been hosting talks between representatives of the Congolese government and Gen Nkunda.
Rwanda was accused of backing the general, who left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after the war ended, saying that the country's transition to democracy was flawed and had excluded the minority Tutsi community.Rwanda was accused of backing the general, who left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after the war ended, saying that the country's transition to democracy was flawed and had excluded the minority Tutsi community.
The UN mission said it had helped facilitate the talks between the two sides, but was not aware of a peace agreement.The UN mission said it had helped facilitate the talks between the two sides, but was not aware of a peace agreement.
However, Col Kiyimbi explained that he had been put in charge of integrating Nkunda's fighters - estimated to be between 1,500 to 2,000 - into the army. But Col Kiyimbi explained that he had been put in charge of integrating Nkunda's fighters - estimated to be between 1,500 to 2,000 - into the army.
He said the operation would take place in Mweso in North Kivu region, and he was planning to create four brigades. He said the operation would take place in Mweso in North Kivu region before 21 January, and he was planning to create four brigades.
Our correspondent says the removal of the fighters could bring much-needed stability to the war-torn region. The BBC's Emery Makumeno in the capital, Kinshasa, says the removal of the fighters could bring much-needed stability to the war-torn region.
Mr Kabila said on taking office that peace and stability in the east was his immediate priority.Mr Kabila said on taking office that peace and stability in the east was his immediate priority.