Felix Tshisekedi of Congo had long said his country would not negotiate with the Rwanda-backed militia, making the joint agreement a rare bright spot in the conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels on Wednesday pledged in statements released after talks in Qatar to work towards peace after violence flared in January, raising fears of a wider regional war.

(Reuters) - Delegations representing Congo's government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have left peace talks in Qatar with no immediate plans to return, sources from both camps told Reuters, after making no significant progress towards a ceasefire.