The authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say five-hundred Mai-Mai rebels in the eastern border region have surrendered or been arrested.

Officials say this is a result of a series of army operations conducted against armed groups in the east, near the Rwandan and Ugandan borders.

Correspondents say the authorities have repeatedly claimed to have put down growing unrest in eastern Congo, where Mai-Mai rebels from local tribes have joined forces with Ugandan and Rwandan Hutu rebels.

The Mai-Mai supported President Kabila during his rebellion against the former President Mobutu, but have now turned against him in protest at the influence of the local Banyamulenge Tutsis in the new army and local administration.