The statement follows talks in the southeastern city of Lubumbashi between Mr Kabila and the presidents of Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Speaking after the summit, Zimbabwe's President Mugabe said the allies were launching an offensive "to clear the enemy" from Congolese territory.

President Kabila refuses to talk to rebels

Lubumbashi, Mr Kabila's home town, is being used as a major base for allied troops, including some of Zimbabwe's 6,000 troops in Congo.

Angola, Namibia and Chad have also sent troops to support President Kabila. Uganda and Rwanda have been accused of providing military support for the rebels.

US mediation

The three leaders are also reported to have rejected American efforts to end the fighting.

President Mugabe has been accused in Zimbabwe of exceeding his authority

The Zimbabwean news agency, Ziana, quoted President Mugabe as saying: "Those who want to talk peace must note that peace comes when those who have invaded have withdrawn because they have no right to be in that territory.

"They should talk more with invaders and exert pressure on them to pull out."

A senior American envoy, Susan Rice, is touring the region. She is due in Zimbabwe on Monday.

President Mugabe - who has faced protests from Zimbabweans angry at their involvement in the Congo war - also disputed rebel claims of rapid advances from their eastern strongholds.

"We are fighting and not losing any ground," he was reported as saying.