United Nations - The signing today in Lusaka, Zambia of the ceasefire agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the last rebel group to do so was welcomed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, his deputy spokesman said Tuesday. In a statement released at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Manoel de Almeida e Silva said the signing by the Rally for a Democratic Congo (RCD), the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) and all Governments concerned should "clear the way" for the timely implementation of the ceasefire agreement and "enhances the peace and security of the region and facilitates the long-awaited international support towards national recovery."

The Secretary-General also reiterated his call that all belligerents honour their commitment to implement the ceasefire and facilitate the early start of national dialogue on the political future of the country, Mr. de Almeida e Silva said.

The Deputy Spokesman said the Secretary-General underlined the importance of ensuring food aid and the reestablishment of essential services such as health, safe water and education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "He also calls upon the donor community to respond generously to the humanitarian interagency appeal and resource mobilization for the peacekeeping and related efforts," he said.

The Lusaka Agreement was signed on 10 July by the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Angola; the MLC signed the pact on 1 August.