The U.N. secretary-general joined African leaders Friday to try to end the fighting in eastern Congo, where a fragile cease-fire is close to collapse, Associated Press reported. The conflict between government and Tutsi-led rebels has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Among the seven African leaders at the summit were Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who wields strong influence with rebel leader Laurent Nkunda's fighters. European Union Development Commissioner Louis Michel _ who has held separate talks with Kabila and Kagame in recent weeks _ urged both sides to respect the cease-fire. But he said direct talks between Kabila and Kagame were not on the agenda Friday. The foreign minister of Tanzania, which chairs the African Union, said the leaders meeting in Kenya are considering whether to appoint an envoy to specifically handle the crisis in Congo or start a process of mediation.
