Security Council slated to discuss DR of Congo, Rwanda peace agreement

The United Nations Security Council is slated to hold a discussion later this week on the recent peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the President of the 15-member body said today.

"Council members welcomed this agreement as a very positive step and as an act indicative of a strong political will and commitment on the part of the parties concerned," Ambassador John Negroponte told reporters following a closed-door briefing on the agreement by a senior UN official. "They also commended the Government of South Africa for its role in facilitating the agreement."

According to Ambassador Negroponte, the meeting scheduled for Thursday would be to discuss with the Foreign Minister of South Africa, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as well as representatives of the DRC and Rwanda, the agreement signed on 30 July in South Africa and the issues surrounding its implementation.

The Council is expected to hear statements in a public meeting from those officials, as well as Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Ambassador Negroponte said, before retiring into a private meeting in which Council members will have the opportunity to address questions to the parties and to the South African Foreign Minister about details regarding implementation.