A leader of the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo has said his movement is ending its rebellion after more than a year and a half of fighting the Congolese government.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government today refused rebel leader Laurent Nkunda’s demand for direct talks to solve the crisis in eastern Kivu province, where tens of thousands of desperate refugees were receiving international aid.

UN soldiers are boosting numbers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as battling armed groups continue fighting on all fronts.