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DR Congo rebels in new stand-off DR Congo rebels in new stand-off
(about 6 hours later)
A tense stand-off has developed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between government troops and rebels loyal to Gen Laurent Nkunda.A tense stand-off has developed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between government troops and rebels loyal to Gen Laurent Nkunda.
Government forces are advancing towards the rebel stronghold of Mushaki, a BBC reporter at the scene says.Government forces are advancing towards the rebel stronghold of Mushaki, a BBC reporter at the scene says.
Gen Nkunda says he will ignore a Monday deadline to start disbanding his army. Gen Nkunda says he will ignore a Monday deadline to start disbanding his army, and called for talks.
He said more talks with the government were necessary before his men could be integrated into the government army, and vowed to defend his position. But President Joseph Kabila, who flew to the region, was not interested in negotiations, a spokesman said.
The president "is not going along with this negotiations story any more" and would stamp out rebel violence in the east, spokesman Kudura Kasongo told Reuters news agency.
"The head of state, with his government, has decided to end this situation of insecurity," he added.
KEY FORCES IN THE KIVUS FLNK - new group made up mainly of Congolese Mai Mai with some Rwandan Hutus formerly in the FDLRFDLR - Hutu militia made up of former Rwandan soldiers and others who fled into Congo after the 1994 genocideCongolese armyGen Laurent Nkunda, with an estimated 5,000 soldiers Monuc - UN Mission in the DR Congo Profile: Renegade generalKEY FORCES IN THE KIVUS FLNK - new group made up mainly of Congolese Mai Mai with some Rwandan Hutus formerly in the FDLRFDLR - Hutu militia made up of former Rwandan soldiers and others who fled into Congo after the 1994 genocideCongolese armyGen Laurent Nkunda, with an estimated 5,000 soldiers Monuc - UN Mission in the DR Congo Profile: Renegade general
In an interview with the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman, Gen Nkunda said that if the government were to attack Mushaki, "we will defend ourselves". But in an interview with the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman, Gen Nkunda said that if the government were to attack Mushaki, "we will defend ourselves".
He said eastern Congo was occupied by "negative forces": a reference to Hutu rebel groups. "This is not normal, and the government must accept to discuss this issue," he said. He said he was not ready to integrate his men into the government army and vowed to defend his position.
Refugees He said eastern Congo was occupied by "negative forces" - a reference to Hutu rebel groups.
"This is not normal and the government must accept to discuss this issue," he said.
Gen Nkunda said he wanted discussions on the return of Congolese Tutsi refugees from neighbouring countries such as Rwanda and Burundi.Gen Nkunda said he wanted discussions on the return of Congolese Tutsi refugees from neighbouring countries such as Rwanda and Burundi.
"Other refugees are coming back, but the Tutsi are not coming back," he said."Other refugees are coming back, but the Tutsi are not coming back," he said.
"We ask the government to protect the Tutsi.""We ask the government to protect the Tutsi."
Karuba capture
Both the army and Gen Nkunda accuse each other of breaking a recent ceasefire.Both the army and Gen Nkunda accuse each other of breaking a recent ceasefire.
Dr Congo's government sees Gen Nkunda as a criminal, and does not regard him as a legitimate negotiating partner, our correspondent reports.Dr Congo's government sees Gen Nkunda as a criminal, and does not regard him as a legitimate negotiating partner, our correspondent reports.
Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect DR Congo's Tutsi minority and has accused the government of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - Hutus who fled to DR Congo fearing reprisals from the Tutsi-led government that took control of Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect DR Congo's Tutsi minority and has accused the government of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - Hutus who fled to DR Congo fearing reprisals from the Tutsi-led government that took control of Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.
The fighting in North Kivu province has raised concerns about thousands of displaced people who have been forced out of their homes.The fighting in North Kivu province has raised concerns about thousands of displaced people who have been forced out of their homes.
Aid workers say people are heading further north into rebel-held territory, where they are now unable to reach them.Aid workers say people are heading further north into rebel-held territory, where they are now unable to reach them.
The army scored their first real victory against Gen Nkunda's forces with the capture of Karuba last week.The army scored their first real victory against Gen Nkunda's forces with the capture of Karuba last week.
Government soldiers have taken up positions on the road south of Mushaki and on the surrounding mountains.Government soldiers have taken up positions on the road south of Mushaki and on the surrounding mountains.
A five-year war in DR Congo ended in 2003, but the 17,600 UN peacekeepers in the country (4,300 of them in North Kivu alone) have struggled to keep a lid on instability since then.A five-year war in DR Congo ended in 2003, but the 17,600 UN peacekeepers in the country (4,300 of them in North Kivu alone) have struggled to keep a lid on instability since then.