DR Congo rebels meet regional force to hand over strategic town

DR Congo's M23 rebels met soldiers from a regional military force to hand over a strategic frontline position near the major eastern city of Goma.

The Tutsi-led group has conquered swaths of territory in North Kivu province in recent months and advanced to within a few dozen kilometres of Goma.

Under heavy international pressure to lay down arms, the M23 pledged earlier to leave its position in the town of Kibumba, about 20 kilometres from Goma.

Kibumba lies on the current frontline between the M23 and Congolese troops, on a key highway leading to the regional hub of more than one million people.

According to a journalist, dozens of rebels arrived at Kibumba's main municipal building in the late morning to participate in the handover ceremony with soldiers from the recently deployed East African Community military force.

M23 representative John Nzenze told reporters he hoped the Democratic Republic of Congo's government would seize the opportunity to make peace -- and warned that the rebels would respond to provocation.

"If we continue to be attacked, do you think we will cross our arms?" Nzenze said.

The DRC has repeatedly accused its smaller central African neighbour Rwanda of backing the M23 group, although the latter denies the charge.

The United States and France, among other Western countries, nevertheless agree with the DRC's assessment.

The rebels remained in their positions after the truce agreement on November 23 for their withdrawal.