the final deadline set under a comprehensive peace deal to end years of warfare in Congo that dragged in several neighbouring armies. Some 20 million Congolese have registered to vote in the elections, which will be the first national polls to be held in the former Belgian colony for more than 40 years. But the process of disarming tens of thousands of gunmen from factions that fought in the five-year war is stalling, adding to fears over security and the viability of polls especially in the lawless eastern bush where Congolese and U.N. troops are battling to bring armed militias under control. After visiting Kinshasa and several sites in eastern Congo the Security Council delegation is due to continue to Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. --SP 2252 Local Time 1952 GMT
