Officials from several African nations and international organisations have begun talks in the Zambian capital, Lusake, aimed at halting the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The participants are divided into two groups -- one discussing a truce, and the other concerned with border security.

However, the rebel leader, Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, has reiterated that any deal reached without him would be useless.

He repeated his call for direct talks with the Congolese president, Laurent Kabila.