Hopes are fading of a breakthrough in finding a solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Officials monitoring peace talks in the Zambian capital Lusaka, said that progress was slow and that many issues remained outstanding.

They said it was unlikely a ceasefire document would be put before foreign and defence ministers of several southern and central African countries as originally planned. Heads of state had been expected to sign the document at a summit in Lusaka this weekend. A draft of the document, seen by the BBC, says a ceasefire should come into force in a week's time.

It says a peacekeeping mission should be deployed within three months and all foreign forces should withdraw and all rebel groups disarmed within a year. The BBC correspondent in Lusaka says it's unclear how the parties will check that all sides stick to the agreement.