Congo president urges reconciliation

DR Congo President Joseph Kabila has ordered a commission to organise a national dialogue among all sectors of society.

A statement on Kinshasa TV said the aim was to establish a new political order to achieve national reconciliation and hold what it called free and transparent democratic elections.

The statement said the decree was in line with the provisions of the Lusaka peace accord.

Correspondents say the move had been expected and marks a further step towards reconciliation in the Congo since the assassination of Mr Kabila's father, the former president, in January.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service