Britain is tightening controls on arms exports to countries involved in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said Britain would not grant export licences for military dual-use equipment -- that is equipment which also has civilian uses -- where there was a risk that it would be used in the war.

The move follows criticism in Britain of the government's recent decision to sell spare parts for Hawk jets to Zimbabwe -- which has troops involved in the war.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service