The United States is "deeply concerned" about allegations that Rwanda is backing M23 rebels in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and that Congolese troops are working with a Rwandan rebel group, Reuters quoted Secretary of State John Kerry as saying on Thursday. Kerry, leading a U.N. Security Council debate on Africa's Great Lakes region, urged the 11 African leaders who signed a U.N.-mediated deal in February aimed at ending two decades of conflict in eastern Congo to respect the country's sovereignty. U.N. experts reported to the council's Congo sanctions committee last month that M23 continues to recruit fighters in Rwanda with the aid of sympathetic Rwandan military officers, while elements of the Congolese military have cooperated with Rwandan Hutu rebel group FDLR. Rwanda and Congo have denied the allegations. "The United States is deeply concerned about recent reports of resumed external support to M23 as well as of collaboration with the FDLR," Kerry told the Security Council. -- SPA 20:57 LOCAL TIME 17:57 GMT تغريد
