Government "ready" to pull out of DRC

The Ugandan government is "ready" to pull out of the DRC so long as it can find a "neutral" force to safeguard its security concerns, government officials confirmed to IRIN on Monday. They said once security of the country was guaranteed, Uganda would withdraw from DRC soil. "The position of the government of Uganda is very clear, our concern is security," State Minister in charge of presidency Rukahana Rugunda told IRIN. He said once the country was certain foreign troops had pulled out to allow for a comprehensive ceasefire, "we will have no business being in that country. We will leave DRC to solve its on problems". "If we get any neutral force that can take charge of our military concerns we will pull out soonest," a defence ministry source added. He told IRIN the presence of Ugandan soldiers in the DRC was legitimate and in line with a previous agreement between the two countries. Analysts say donors are pressuring Uganda to disengage from DRC.