Troops to withdraw from DRC

Zimbabwean troops are to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on time under the terms of the Lusaka ceasefire timetable but a training team would remain, presidential spokesman George Charamba told IRIN on Wednesday. "Our withdrawal will fully comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement," Charamba said. "But there was a standing agreement with the DRC government for a training force." He added: "I don't think it's a point of concern at all. After all it is in the terms of the agreement." News reports on Tuesday quoted Zimbabwean Defence Minister Movan Mahachi as saying the disengagement of foreign forces from the DRC would start within the next three months. Meanwhile, defence spokesman Chancellor Diye said out of the estimated 10,000 Zimbabwean troops currently in the DRC, some 2,000 would remain as part of a UN and Organisation of African Unity (OAU) coordinated peacekeeping force.