British Troops May Join Un in Congo

The government was today considering a request by the UN to send British troops to join an emergency peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At prime ministers questions in the Commons, Tony Blair revealed he has spoken to the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, two days ago about the request, but was looking at current UK armed forces commitments.

Downing Street said that a request had been received from the UN but that officials needed more information about the proposed force before any decision to commit British personnel.

The UN has asked France to lead the proposed force amid reports of growing atrocities in fighting between rival tribal factions which have been battling for control of the north-eastern Ituri province.

Aid workers have reported finding the bodies of more than 200 people killed on the streets of the provincial capital Bunia, including women and children, some decapitated and others with hearts, livers and lungs missing.

A French military team is set to assess the feasibility of deploying a force to the region.

Tony Blair's official spokesman said: "We are actively engaged with our EU and UN partners in promoting a peaceful resolution to the problems.

"We are concerned about the situation and are closely monitoring development.

"We have asked for more details of the proposed deployment to enable us to look at possible options for providing assistance."

This morning the former international development secretary, Clare Short, called the UN policy on Congo "partial, weak and muddled".

Ms Short told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it was vital that Congo's new government - agreed in a peace deal aimed at ending its five-year civil war - is installed soon.

But she said the UN operation in Congo had been "less effective than it could have been".

She added: "There won't be safety for the people of Rwanda or Burundi, where you have got this same ethnic poison that comes from the colonial times, without a proper settlement in the Congo.

"It is do-able. It just needs more higher level international attention and then bringing into being a new government in the Congo ...

"It can be moved forward very quickly with just a bit more international attention with Britain playing its proper role.

"We have been strongly involved in the Congo and I am sure my successor and others will continue to be engaged."