M23 rebels controlling the eastern city of Goma in the DR Congo have said they will not pull out unless their demands are met.
Reports said the rebels were demanding that the government hold national talks and dissolve the electoral commission enacted by President Joseph Kabila.
Other demands include the involvement of the opposition in the government and withdrawal of the rebel group FDLR from positions it is occupying.
“These are pretty tough [preconditions] and will probably not be met,” said our correspondent.
The Congolese government dismissed the demands, made by M23 political chief Jean-Marie Runiga at a news conference in Goma, as a “farce”, according to the Reuters news agency.
Al Jazeera’s Azad Essa, reporting from Goma, said M23 rebels could be seen in the city and that there were no signs they would pull out soon.
“As it stands, there are a handful of M23 soldiers in the city, and there is no indication as yet of any withdrawal,” he said.
“Goma itself is bustling with activity, though banks and bigger stores remain shut as confusion over the fate of the city remains.”
UN peacekeepers could be seen across the city, though MONUSCO, the peacekeeping mission, says that its patrols started three days ago and have nothing to do with the latest developments, said our correspondent.
