The European Union and ministers from the Southern African Development Union have called on Rwanda to admit its involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A joint statement afetr a two-day meeting in Vienna said the withdrawal of all foreign troops must be part of a peace agreement in Congo.

Rwanda has again denied involvement during talks in Kigali with the American assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Susan Rice, who is on a tour of the region aimed at mediating a peaceful solution to the conflict.

A Rwandan spokesman said the Congolese government must negotiate a settlement with the rebels.

For her part, Ms Rice said there were many parties in the situation and many parties had to be involved in the solution.