Kabila feels the heat

President Kabila is reported to be re-equipping his army

African leaders have criticised President Laurent Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing him of inflexibility during talks aimed at reviving last year's peace accord.

And diplomats are saying he is now under intense pressure to end his opposition to two key provisions of the agreement - the unhindered deployment of United Nations peacekeeping troops inside the DR Congo and to work with the UN-backed mediator, the former Botswanan president, Ketumile Masire.

A regional summit in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday, with Rwandan President Paul Kagame saying that Mr Kabila had exhausted his allies' patience and was increasingly isolated.

As the main backer of the Congolese rebellion against Mr Kabila, Rwanda has constantly sought to isolate, even demonise its main enemy.

Our correspondent Chris Simpson says the Lusaka meeting has helped that cause.

Mugabe disappointed

Even Mr Kabila's main ally, the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, said that Mr Kabila should listen to the advice of other leaders.

Ketumile Masire (right): Kabila accused him of being too close to rebels

Zambian President Frederick Chiluba said the search for peace must go on, but he has hinted that Congo could face sanctions if Mr Kabila fails to show a more flexible approach.

Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe support President Kabila against a two-year rebel insurgency supported by Rwanda and Uganda.

Mr Kabila is reported to be re-equipping his army and seems to have no interest in peace while he thinks he can hold on to power through war.

Mr Kabila believes Sir Ketumile Masire is sympathetic to the rebels.

"President Kabila has refused to listen or discuss the matter. He says he does not want Sir Ketumile Masire - period," President Mugabe said after the talks.

Appeal to Kabila

In a communique issued at the end of the summit in the early hours of Tuesday, regional leaders appealed to President Kabila to reconsider his decision.

They issued a veiled threat of sanctions if he did not do so, but it is thought unlikely to be carried out while he continues to receive backing from three regional countries.

The UN Security Council is due to review its mission in the DR Congo later this month. Correspondents say if the UN operation is suspended there could be a sharp escalation of fighting.

Since the peace agreement was signed in Lusaka one year ago, there have been many violations, leading to a delay in the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops.

UN observers

The UN is yet to send troops into DR Congo, limiting its presence to about 500 military observers.

President Kabila: Was urged by leaders to reconsider his stance

UN member states have warned that they cannot commit themselves to a large-scale peacekeeping operation when the main protagonists are still at war.

The UN Security Council has passed a resolution demanding that Rwanda and Uganda withdraw all their forces "without delay" and said other countries should reciprocate at each stage of the withdrawal.

Rwandan troops and their Congolese rebel allies say they are prepared to withdraw from strategic positions in the DR Congo, to allow the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers in a "peace corridor".

Uganda separately offered to withdraw 4,000 troops, almost half its forces.