The leaders of countries which support the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo are to meet in Zimbabwe today to decide their strategy against Congolese rebels.

The Congolese president, Laurent Kabila, will join the presidents of Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia to decide whether to hold defensive positions around the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, or to attack rebel-held eastern Congo.

The BBC correspondent in Harare says sending large numbers of troops to the east would be a major commitment for Mr Kabila's allies.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is already facing internal opposition to his involvement in Congo.