Rebels will "disappear politically" - Kabila

DRC President Laurent-Desire Kabila said on Monday that if the rebels "ever sign" the Lusaka ceasefire accord, "peace will be established, but with peace they will disappear", Lubumbashi radio reported. He was speaking to journalists in Lubumbashi before leaving for South Africa. According to Kabila, prospects for the return of peace in the DRC were "good", and the international community was trying to put pressure on the rebels to sign the documents. "Indeed they will have to join the national debate, elections will be held, and being disapproved by the people they will disappear politically," he said. In South Africa meanwhile, Kabila asked President Thabo Mbeki to "use his influence" to bring about a cessation of hostilities, SAPA news agency reported. Mbeki replied that his country would do everything possible, adding it was "imperative" for the rebels to sign the Lusaka accord. Mbeki told reporters South Africa was looking at ways it could help in the DRC's reconstruction. Kabila also said the Italian Catholic Sant' Egidio community would mediate the national debate in DRC, news organisations reported. He said the group was first waiting for the rebels to sign the Lusaka ceasefire accord.