Gun deadline for Congo rebels

Rebels are said to have agreed to the deal

French peacekeepers say they will impose a ban on weapons in the north-eastern town of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rebels have been given a 72-hour warning ending at 0900 GMT on Tuesday to give up carrying guns.

"Weapons that remain will be confiscated," Colonel Gerard Dubois told reporters.

French troops arrived in Bunia early this month as part of a United Nations-mandated international force to protect civilians from fighting between ethnic Hema and Lendu militias.

The violence has killed an estimated 500 civilians in the past two months, and residents complain that the peacekeepers have so far provided only limited security.

Colonel Dubois was speaking after General Jean-Paul Thonier, the commander of the French-led force, held talks in Bunia with Thomas Lubanga, commander of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) which controls Bunia.

"Mr Lubanga accepted the demand of General Thonier," the colonel said.

There has been no confirmation from the rebels.

Wave of violence

United Nations monitors have warned of a human rights catastrophe in Bunia.

The French say they need reinforcements

Diplomats with the UN Mission in Congo (Monuc) say there has been a wave of rape, abduction and murder in the town.

The French say they currently have enough troops only to patrol the town's airport and are awaiting reinforcements.

Ethnic violence flared in the troubled north-eastern region of the DR Congo in April, when Uganda began withdrawing troops it had stationed there.

Bunia came under the administration of the UPC following the Ugandan pull-out in early May.