Earlier, President Kabila rejected proposals to ban up to three hundred politicians from standing in presidential elections.

Our correspondent says the decision followed a recent meeting with President Clinton during his African tour at which concerns over human rights in the Congo were raised, but it will not be enough to ally international fears.

He says that Mr Kabila now risks being condemned in the same terms as the corrupt and much maligned figure he ousted -- President Mobutu.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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