The Zimbabwean Agriculture Minister, Kumbirai Kangai, has defended his country's involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In an interview with the BBC Mr Kangai said it was normal to assist friendly countries and denied that the intervention lacked popular support.

He said the silent majority in Zimbabwe supported their country's military presence in Congo, and that the media was focusing on a silent minority that opposed it.

Earlier, the Zimbabwean government confirmed that forces backing the Congolese government carried out a bombing raid on the town of Kalemie, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, at the weekend.