Co-operation needed for Congo peace

The Foreign Secretary said there was an opportunity to resolve differences and avert further conflict in an area of "enormous" potential, adding: "We must not let it pass."

In a written ministerial statement following his two-day visit to the African country, which has seen hundreds of thousands of people displaced as a result of violence in east DRC, Mr Miliband said he had been struck by the "extent of the human suffering caused by the conflict".

Existing agreements between DRC and neighbouring Rwanda remain a "valid approach" to tackling the current problems, Mr Miliband said, and the presidents of both countries will need to work together to achieve a "lasting solution".

But Mr Miliband said the African Union, United Nations and European Union would all have a role to play in restoring peace.

"The conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not just a threat to regional stability but also has appalling human consequences," Mr Miliband said.

He added: "The potential of the African Great Lakes region is enormous. The UK has invested considerable effort in it. While insecurity and violence persist in eastern DRC, the stability and prosperity of the entire region are under threat.

"The political processes already agreed, and the engagement of the international community, represent an opportunity to resolve them and avert further conflict. We must not let it pass."

Mr Miliband also said the UK had increased its aid to the area by £5 million in light of recent events. But he gave no hint as to whether UK troops would be sent to bolster the UN peacekeeping force in the area. Preparations to send out 90 tonnes of emergency Government aid got under way, with thousands of blankets, plastic sheets, water buckets and water purification tablets expected to arrive later this week.

Mr Miliband's visit, alongside French counterpart Bernard Kouchner, came after rebel forces led by General Laurent Nkunda went on the offensive in North Kivu province. Charities estimate that over 900,000 have been displaced in North Kivu, with around 55,000 people forced to leave their home in the last week alone.