Diplomatic efforts are continuing today to end the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President Mugabe of Zimbabwe is due to hold talks with the Congolese president, Laurent Kabila, in Kishasa.

The Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba, is continuing his visit to Uganda at the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni; and the Namibian President Sam Nujoma is to meet the Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

They are trying to secure agreement to a peace plan that would involve the deployment of United Nations troops.

Correspondents say previous mediation efforts by regional leaders have foundered on Mr Kabila's refusal to meet the rebels, whom he regards of puppets of Uganda and Rwanda.