Appeal for Congo child hostages

The LRA has forced thousands of children into combat

The UN has appealed for the release of 90 children who it says are being held by Ugandan rebels in north-east Democratic Republic of Congo.

Unicef said it was concerned the children, seized from two schools last week, would be forced to fight.

The UN agency for children said a village chief had also been kidnapped, and at least three people killed.

The LRA has led a rebellion for more than 20 years which has left some two million people displaced.

Unicef said 50 children had been seized in a primary school in Kiliwa and 40 others from a secondary school in Duru during simultaneous attacks in Oriental province. It said another village, Nambia, was also attacked.

The LRA is believed to have a base near Duru.

In a statement, the agency demanded the unconditional release of the children.

"Unicef is very concerned that they will now be forced to fight or support fighting, putting their lives at risk," it said.

The LRA has relocated to bases on the Sudan-DR Congo border for the last two years during peace negotiations

In April, LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to sign a peace deal agreed to by his representatives after nearly two years of talks.

The LRA has said it is willing to sign the agreement but would not disarm until the International Criminal Court (ICC) lifted arrest warrants against Mr Kony.

The LRA leader is accused of numerous war crimes, including abducting and mutilating civilians and forcing thousands of children into combat.