China supports efforts by DR Congo parties to seek lasting political solution: UN envoy

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 6 -- China supports the enhancement of efforts by the government and other parties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to find a lasting, political solution to its crisis, a Chinese envoy to the UN said Wednesday.

China welcomes the recent positive developments in the eastern part of the DRC, Liu Jieyi, the rotating UN Security Council president and China's permanent representative to the UN, told the press after an informal consultation of the Security Council earlier in the day.

Martin Kobler, the head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and Mary Robinson, special envoy of the UN secretary-general for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, briefed the Security Council on the recent positive developments in the country and the region, and also the efforts that need to be made, Liu said.

On Tuesday, a major rebel group of the DRC -- the March 23 Movement (M23) -- declared an end to the rebellion it launched since April 2012.

"It is highly important that the council respond to the development on the ground and to work in ways that will support African countries'effort towards peace, stability in DRC and also in the wider sub-region," said Liu, adding that without peace and stability, one cannot talk about development and well-being of the African people.

China will work with other council members to effectively work to promote the positive momentum and reach a lasting solution benefiting peace and stability on the ground, Liu said.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said on Tuesday that his commanders were being advised to lay down arms in light of an agreement to be reached with the government.

The rebel group's surrender came after a crushing assault by the UN-backed army pushed them out of the country's mineral-rich powder-keg east. The insurgents -- who at their strongest occupied the regional hub Goma for 10 days a year ago -- called for a truce on Sunday, but the army pressed on with its assault.

The rebels have held off-and-on talks with the DRC government in the Ugandan capital of Kampala.

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