DRC rebel leader commits to peace

Laurent Nkunda, the dissident Congolese rebel leader, has recommitted himself to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying he will not disrupt Sunday's historic polls.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SABC News at his main base on the Masisi mountain hills in the northeast of the DRC, Nkunda said he is willing to co-operate with which ever candidate wins in the weekend's run-off elections.

An international warrant for Nkunda's arrest has recently been issued for alleged war crimes he committed during 2004 while seizing the town of Bukavu in the east.

Peaceful election expected in the DRC
Mluleki George, the head of South Africa's observer mission in the DRC, said he is confident that Sunday's run-off presidential election in that country will be held under normal and peaceful conditions. This is despite the tension and a few incidents of violence that have characterised the build-up to election day.

George said both the United Nations and the electoral commission have assured him that everything is under control. He said his observation in the last few days is that the situation is calm.

Four killed in run-up to elections
Meanwhile, the SABC news team in Kinshasa has also confirmed that four people were killed during an exchange of fire between Bemba's supporters and Nzenga Mobutu, a politician, in Equateur province.

Mobutu is backing Joseph Kabila, the interim president, in this second round of voting.