(3 Jul 1999) English/Nat
Last minute consultations delayed the signing of a peace accord on Saturday to end the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but officials said representatives are close to clinching the deal.
Hopes of resolving the war rose this week as both sides offered concessions at the peace talks in neighbouring Zambia.
The news of a possible breakthrough comes just days after the Democratic Republic of Congo celebrated 39th year of independence.
June 30 marks the Democratic Republic of Congo's Independence day.
On this day, 39 years ago, the country broke away from Belgium.
This year's celebrations come amid hopes that concessions by the warring sides in the civil war could lead to a ceasefire ending the 11-month conflict.
In the capital, Kinshasa, thousands took to the streets in parades held to celebrate the day - and call for peace.
Marchers bore placards with words of encouragement for the peace negotiators.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is the opportunity to express that the people want the aggression to get out of the country once and for all."
SUPER CAPTION: Mwenze Kongolo, Democratic Republic of Congo Justice Minister
Speaking at the official Independence day ceremony, Interior Minister Kakudji rallied support for government forces.
He called for the aggressors in the conflict to be thrown out of the country.
After meeting for six hours on Friday, Congolese officials and representatives of three main rebel groups agreed on key elements, including the formation of a unified army and the establishment of a dialogue on the country's political future.
They also agreed on a formula that would allow rebel fighters to keep territory under their control in the
eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo pending further talks.
At the moment, the rebels control a third of the country.
But as the talks continued, so did the fighting.
The United Nations refugee agency says humanitarian groups are struggling to assist thousands of people fleeing fresh clashes in Congo's southern Kivu province.
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