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Congo militia to disband

KINSHASA (Congo): Congolese warlord Peter Karim has agreed to disband his militia in return for the post of colonel in Congo's army, an army official said on Monday on condition of anonymity. The army representative spoke anonymously because the information had not yet been made public through official channels. About 1,000 of Mr. Karim's fighters from eastern Congo will also be integrated into Congo's forces, the army official said. The United Nations has said that Mr. Karim's forces were responsible for the May kidnapping of seven U.N. peacekeepers, the last five of whom were released in early July. Congo's restive east, where Mr. Karim's militia is based, is seen as a potential stumbling block for landmark presidential elections scheduled for the end of this month. The U.N. has been trying to get militiamen to turn over arms and halt fighting. — AP

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