Congo’s truce holds as rebels close in

Western leaders from the EU, US, France and the UK were in Africa on the 1 November 2008 to push diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a humanitarian disaster in DR Congo. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband held crisis talks with Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila in a diplomatic push to halt a rebel advance and looming humanitarian disaster in the east of the country.

European Union leaders said they would focus on a diplomatic solution to the current unrest but added that a military mission must remain a final option.

BBC News, 2.11.08: Congo aid 'to cross front line' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7704628.stm

France24, 2.11.08: EU, African leaders push for peace in diplomatic rounds http://www.france24.com/en/20081102-eu-leaders-lead-diplomatic-push-peace-drc&navi=MONDE

Deutsche Welle, 1.11.08: International Diplomats to Intervene in Congo Crisis http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3757832,00.html

European Commission: Press Release, IP/08/1605: Democratic Republic of Congo: Commissioner Michel continues regional shuttle diplomacy and announces €4 million humanitarian aid for vulnerable people in North Kivu http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1605&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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