DR Congo to close military court

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have announced that they will dismantle a special military court which has been criticised by human rights groups.

Reports from Kinshasa say the decision, decreed by President Joseph Kabila, should come into effect in the next three months.

The court was created by President Kabila's father, Laurent Kabila, when he took power in 1997 to try soldiers as well as civilians accused of threatening state security.

The court's rulings are final and no-one can appeal against them.

More than 100 people are currently being tried by the court for their alleged involvement in Laurent Kabila's murder two years ago.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service