UN Security Council/EU calls for withdrawal of foreign troops

The UN Security Council on Friday called for the “orderly withdrawal” of all foreign forces in the DRC. A UN press release received by IRIN said the Council also urged “arrangements” for border security and all-inclusive national reconciliation leading to early elections. The Council said it would consider the “active involvement of the United Nations” to help implement an effective ceasefire and a political settlement. EU leaders meeting in Vienna on Saturday also called for the withdrawal of foreign forces and a political settlement to the conflict. A statement received by IRIN said: “The European Council reaffirms its support to the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of its neighbouring countries and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, a withdrawal of foreign troops from the DRC and for negotiations of all the concerned parties, with a view to an urgent political solution of the conflict.”