The International Committee of the Red Cross says it's been allowed to visit more than forty Rwandan prisoners-of-war held in Zimbabwe after they were captured during fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A spokesman said the visits began about two weeks ago.

Zimbabwe is reported to want to swap the Rwandan prisoners for Zimbabwean prisoners-of-war held by forces backing the Congolese rebels.

The Red Cross says that since the beginning of the conflict, it's visited more than three-and-a-half thousand POWs and civilians held by forces supporting President Kabila.

Last week, it began visiting prisoners held by rebel forces in the east of the country.