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Deal close in east DR Congo talks East DR Congo peace deal 'close'
(19 minutes later)
Talks on the future of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are coming to a head, with a peace agreement now close to being signed.Talks on the future of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are coming to a head, with a peace agreement now close to being signed.
The deal has been sponsored by the US, the EU and the African Union.The deal has been sponsored by the US, the EU and the African Union.
It is designed to end months of bloody conflict around the town of Goma, which has driven over 450,000 people from their homes in the last year.It is designed to end months of bloody conflict around the town of Goma, which has driven over 450,000 people from their homes in the last year.
Talks involving the Dr Congo government and more than 20 rebel groups have been under way for more than two weeks.Talks involving the Dr Congo government and more than 20 rebel groups have been under way for more than two weeks.
The key rebel movement is led by dissident General Laurent Nkunda, who repulsed a major government offensive last December.The key rebel movement is led by dissident General Laurent Nkunda, who repulsed a major government offensive last December.
'Historic moment''Historic moment'
A framework agreement is due to be signed within the next 24 hours, although international mediators warn of possible last minute hitches. Correspondents say a framework agreement is due to be signed within the next 24 hours, although international mediators warn of possible last minute hitches.
The BBC's Lubunga Byaombe at the conference says delegates are trying to decide whether Gen Nkunda should be integrated into the army or sent into exile.
Profile: Gen Nkunda The agreement would establish a technical commission to oversee a permanent ceasefire, a disengagement of troops and the disarmament of the rebels.Profile: Gen Nkunda The agreement would establish a technical commission to oversee a permanent ceasefire, a disengagement of troops and the disarmament of the rebels.
On offer is a promise of an amnesty for the rebels, but this would only cover insurrection against the government - not human rights violations.On offer is a promise of an amnesty for the rebels, but this would only cover insurrection against the government - not human rights violations.
The government has issued an international arrest warrant against Gen Nkunda, for alleged war crimes committed by his forces.
He says he is defending his Tutsi community against Rwandan Hutu rebels who have been based in eastern DR Congo since the 1994 genocide.
Once signed, United Nations troops would keep the two sides apart, moving into 13 positions vacated by the rebels.Once signed, United Nations troops would keep the two sides apart, moving into 13 positions vacated by the rebels.
And within a week specialist advisers would fly in from the United States, Britain and Europe, to try to work on the details.And within a week specialist advisers would fly in from the United States, Britain and Europe, to try to work on the details.
The European Union is promising US$150 million of aid to reconstruct the region, which has been devastated by the fighting.The European Union is promising US$150 million of aid to reconstruct the region, which has been devastated by the fighting.
"This is increasingly looking like an historic moment for eastern Congo," Anneke van Woudenberg of Human Rights Watch said."This is increasingly looking like an historic moment for eastern Congo," Anneke van Woudenberg of Human Rights Watch said.
"If the agreement is signed it will be an important foundation for bringing peace and ending the suffering of so many thousands of people.""If the agreement is signed it will be an important foundation for bringing peace and ending the suffering of so many thousands of people."