BBC News Online: World: Africa

Words and bullets fly in Congo

The Rwandan Government has denied any involvement in the uprising in eastern Congo.

Rwanda's military spokesman, Emmanuel Ndihiro, made the counter-accusation that Mr Kabila's regime has been rehabilitating the Hutu Interahamwe militia and soldiers of the former Rwandan army - both groups which were heavily implicated in the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

But our correspondent in Congo, William Wallis, says the evidence of Rwandan involvement in the uprising is overwhelming.

Mr Kabila said: "We should prepare for a long war, a drawn-out war, a people's war in which the entire people should defend its homeland and sovereignty."

He also called on the international community to demand a Rwandan withdrawal.

The Rwandan Government has said Congo is not strong enough to pose a threat.

The Rwandan President Pasteur Bizimungu denies fomenting the uprising, but has not ruled out future involvement.

Mr Bizimungu last year helped Mr Kabila overthrow the long-time dictator of the former Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko.

The United States has warned Congo's neighbours not to get involved in the rebellion.

Two diplomatic efforts to end the fighting are due to start on Friday.

A South African delegation led by the Foreign Minister, Alfred Nzo, is due to meet President Kabila in his southern stronghold at Lubumbashi.

And a regional summit called by Zimbabwe will discuss unrest in the Congo and the Great Lakes region in general.

Major battle for oil town

In the latest fighting, the rebels are reported to have captured the strategic oil town of Muanda on the Atlantic coast, as well as Uvira, on the Rwandan border.

However a senior government official said reinforcements loyal to Mr Kabila had been sent in to Muanda and a major battle was taking place.

Muanda is close to the hydro-electric dam on the Congo river which generates much of the country's power. In addition, a petrol pipeline from the region and the nearby port of Matadi supplies the capital with fuel.

The eastern town of Bukavu, close to the Rwandan border, is reported to be in rebel hands but the country's third largest city, Kisangani, is still under government control.

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