UN warns over DRC fighting

2006-12-07 07:28

New York - The UN security council congratulated Joseph Kabila on Tuesday on his election to the Democratic Republic of Congo presidency but expressed "serious concern" over fighting by a renegade force in the lawless east of the country.

In a formal policy statement read at a public meeting, the council also encouraged the international community to assist the DRC in trying to rebuild its shattered economy and restore stability.

More than 150 rebels were killed when UN peacekeepers fought off an offensive in east DRC last week, officials in the country said.

The casualty figure was the highest recorded from fighting involving UN troops in the central African nation, where the UN has its largest peacekeeping mission of 17 600.

UN forces used helicopter gunships, heavy weapons and armoured vehicles in several days of fighting last week against rebels led by dissident General Laurent Nkunda, who had dislodged government soldiers near the town of Sake.

"The security council expresses its serious concern at the recent hostilities launched by non-integrated army units in Sake, in the North Kivu province," the council's statement said, stressing the impact of the fighting on women, children and the elderly.

"It calls on these units to cease their hostilities, return without delay to their initial positions and submit themselves to the army integration and demobilisation processes," it said.

Up to 20 000 civilians were displaced by the clashes, which highlighted the east's volatility despite the historic polls, meant to help the country put a 1998-2003 war behind it.

The 15-member body also stressed the need for all political parties "to act responsibility after the elections within the framework of democratic institutions and the rule of law".

- Reuters