Peace deal expected to end bloody Congo war
Yesterday's talks to halt the 11-month-long war floundered on Monday when two key players expressed reservations about clauses in a draft peace pact, but officials said late on Monday that these should be hammered out overnight.
Delegates include foreign and defence ministers from the SADC bloc, as well as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Libya who are discussing the draft peace accord to end fighting in Africa's third largest country.
Talks hit a stumbling block when President Laurent Kabila's Congo and its main ally Zimbabwe said they were not satisfied with proposals on the formation of verification committees to oversee the peace process.
The Kinshasa delegation also raised objections to clauses that would enable the rebels to administer areas they currently occupy after a troop standstill.
The rebels said they could accept the document.
``The pact is acceptable. It is workable. We want to find a solution today,'' said Bizima Karaha, spokesman for the rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy.
- MANOAH ESIPISU in Lusaka
