Jolie attends trial of Congolese warlord

Film star and activist Angelina Jolie visited the International Criminal Court trial of a Congolese warlord charged with using child soldiers today.

Jolie said in a statement released by the court in The Hague that the case against Thomas Lubanga was a "landmark trial for children" and paid tribute to the former child soldiers who travel to hearing to testify.

Lubanga, founder and former leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots political movement and its armed wing, denies charges of recruiting and using child soldiers in tribal conflicts in 2002-2003.

His is the first international trial to focus solely on child soldiers.

The United Nations estimates up to 250,000 child soldiers still fight in more than a dozen countries.

"After watching the proceedings from the viewing booth, I stood up and found Thomas Lubanga Dyilo looking at me," Jolie said. "I imagined how difficult it must be for all the brave young children who have come to testify against him."

The visit was Jolie's second to the war crimes tribunal in less than two years. The goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency UNHCR said children deserve special protection during wars.

"Using children in conflict is a heinous crime and destroys the very fabric of a society," she said.