A spokesman for rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo says rebel forces have begun a four-day ceasefire to allow President Kabila to announce publicly that he's willing to negotiate with them.

A representative for the rebels in Brussels, Willy Mishiki, told the BBC the ceasefire followed talks in Brussels between two envoys from President Kabila and rebel representatives.

He didn't say when the meeting took place or name the envoys -- though he said both were cabinet ministers.

This is the first time that either side has publicly acknowledged meeting the other.