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DR of Congo: Security Council welcomes peace agreement with Rwanda

DR of Congo: Security Council welcomes peace agreement with Rwanda

The members of the Security Council have called on the parties to the Lusaka peace agreement to hold talks with the United Nations as soon as possible on the practical implementation of an accord signed today by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

The Council President, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom, said in a press statement that the members welcomed the agreement, which was concluded in Pretoria, South Africa, and looked forward to examining it in detail.

They also anticipated hearing the considered view of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) in due course, he added.

"There's a lot of work there for the UN to do but a lot of discussion is needed to find out exactly what that is," Ambassador Greenstock said, noting that the Council was likely to have a briefing on the agreement early next week.

Council members also expressed their "warm appreciation" to the Government of South Africa for its role in facilitating the accord, Ambassador Greenstock said.