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DRC peace talks enter substantive phase

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-08 17:13

NAIROBI -- UN-backed talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and a main rebel group have progressed into its substantive phase, mediators announced late Wednesday.

A Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) soldier walks toward a distribution center near Lushubere Camp in Masisi, km ( miles) northwest of Goma, December 19, 2008. [Agencies]

A statement from ex-Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa who is facilitating the dialogue said the talks aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the strife-ridden country's brutal armed conflict will continue on Thursday.

"The third session of the Nairobi Dialogue on Eastern DRC ended for the day at 17:00 (1400GMT) Nairobi (Wednesday). The talks have now progressed into substantive discussions," the statement said.

The third session of talks kicked off between the DRC government and the mainly Tutsi rebel group known as the National Congress in Defense of the People (CNDP) in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, early Wednesday.