This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6542165.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Opposition leader leaves DR Congo | |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| The Democratic Republic of Congo's wanted opposition leader has left for Portugal after being given permission to go abroad for medical treatment. | |
| Former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba took refuge in South Africa's embassy in Kinshasa after clashes between his militia and government troops in March. | Former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba took refuge in South Africa's embassy in Kinshasa after clashes between his militia and government troops in March. |
| Mr Bemba had been accused of treason, with a warrant issued for his arrest. | Mr Bemba had been accused of treason, with a warrant issued for his arrest. |
| The clashes had threatened to derail the peace process, which followed five years of bitter conflict. | The clashes had threatened to derail the peace process, which followed five years of bitter conflict. |
| Fragile peace | Fragile peace |
| An armed United Nations convoy escorted Mr Bemba to the airport from the South African embassy. | |
| The former vice-president was given permission to go to Portugal for 60 days to receive treatment on his leg, say officials at the senate, where Mr Bemba has a seat. | |
| A BBC correspondent says there is speculation the trip may be used as a diplomatic move to ease tension following last month's clashes. | A BBC correspondent says there is speculation the trip may be used as a diplomatic move to ease tension following last month's clashes. |
| In pictures: Kinshasa clashes Clashes reflect Congo's divide | In pictures: Kinshasa clashes Clashes reflect Congo's divide |
| Before the announcement, hundreds of Mr Bemba's supporters demonstrated in the north-western town of Mbandaka, denouncing what they called threats and the illegal arrests of opposition members. | Before the announcement, hundreds of Mr Bemba's supporters demonstrated in the north-western town of Mbandaka, denouncing what they called threats and the illegal arrests of opposition members. |
| President Joseph Kabila defeated Mr Bemba in a second round run-off presidential election last October. | President Joseph Kabila defeated Mr Bemba in a second round run-off presidential election last October. |
| This was hailed as the first democratic poll in the country for more than 40 years. | This was hailed as the first democratic poll in the country for more than 40 years. |
| Mr Bemba denied plotting military action to overthrow the president and accused the army of trying to kill him. | Mr Bemba denied plotting military action to overthrow the president and accused the army of trying to kill him. |
| The violence started when Mr Bemba's armed bodyguards refused to be integrated into the national army. | The violence started when Mr Bemba's armed bodyguards refused to be integrated into the national army. |
| Up to 600 people may have died in the clashes, according to EU diplomats in Kinshasa. | Up to 600 people may have died in the clashes, according to EU diplomats in Kinshasa. |
| As a senator, Mr Bemba enjoys immunity from prosecution. | As a senator, Mr Bemba enjoys immunity from prosecution. |
| The government had said it would seek to have this stripped. | The government had said it would seek to have this stripped. |