Rebel agrees to U.N. peace talks

Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda agreed to take part in U.N.-backed peace talks, but fighting between the army and rebels raged in the east despite his declared support for a cease-fire.

After meeting United Nations special envoy Olusegun Obasanjo at Jomba in North Kivu province, Nkunda said he had agreed to three requests: respect a cease-fire, open a humanitarian corridor to aid refugees, and support the U.N. peace initiative.

But he had asked Obasanjo, a former Nigerian president, to tell Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s government to also respect a suspension of hostilities.