UN condemns Kabila over parliament

President Kabila is blamed for violating the Lusaka peace accord

The United Nations Security Council has criticised Congolese President Laurent Kabila for unilaterally inaugurating a new transitional parliament.

The UN said the decision showed a lack of commitment to the Lusaka peace accord, which demands full participation by all factions in the country's political structures.

The UN's special envoy to the Democratic Repubic of Congo, Abdusalami Abubakar, is expected to meet President Kabila on Tuesday to discuss the ailing peace process.

President Kabila inaugurated the assembly on Monday, in the country's south-eastern town of Lubumbashi.

From this point on, I share with you the legislative responsiblity of our country

President Kabila

The rebels who control about half the country, said his action was a violation of the peace deal which calls for a national dialogue to decide the country's future.

Mr Kabila announced the creation of a 300-member transition parliament last May after three years of ruling the country by decree.

Kabila's speech

During the opening ceremony, Mr Kabila gave a short speech, broadcast live on national television.

Rebels are opposed to Kabila's Lubumbashi assembly

He spoke of his joy at this latest stage of what he called the democratisation process.

"From this point on, I share with you the legislative responsiblity of our country," told the deputies.

The deputies were hand-picked by President Kabila from the country's 11 provinces including zones held by Rwanda and Uganda-backed rebels.

He congratulated the deputies for having accepted the responsibility their parliamentary duties brought them.

UN envoy

Abubakar: UN wants Mr Kabila to co-operate

General Abubakar is expected to convey the UN's concern about delays in the implementation of the Lusaka peace accord, particularly regarding the deployment of UN troops, when he meets President Kabila on Tuesday.

The UN wants freedom of movement for its personnel in DR Congo, and a peaceful settlement to the two year-old conflict.

Mr Kabila has refused to enter into a dialogue with rebels, and recently said that UN peacekeepers could not enter areas under his control.

A ceasefire deal signed last year in Lusaka has failed to take hold, and talks last week aimed at ending the conflict collapsed.