The leader of a rebel faction in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said troops from Angola and Zimbabwe have launched a counter-offensive against his forces in the north-west of the country.

Jean-Pierre Bemba, who heads the Congo Liberation Movement, told Reuters news agency that the attacks began on Friday near the town of Lisala and continued through the night.

It's the first report of fighting in north-western Congo involving troops from Angola and Zimbabwe, who've intervened against the rebels in support of President Kabila.

On Friday, the rebels reported heavy fighting against government trooops and Zimbabweans in the southern region of Katanga.