Congo Brazzaville draft constitution 'approved'

The authorities in Congo Brazzaville say a series of regional assemblies has broadly approved a new draft constitution.

State radio said the draft would be put before a national convention next month.

This aims to prepare the way for a referendum on the new constitution, to be followed by elections for a president and for parliament.

A transitional government headed by President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been in power in Brazzaville since he won the civil war in 1997.

Correspondents say he's aiming to restore legitimacy to government, but opposition figures complain they've been excluded from the process.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service