New army chief ready for war against M23

Rebels who last week seized Goma, one of the most important cities in the east, said they had pulled back slightly and were on track to leave the city by Friday, in accordance with a deadline imposed by the international community.

The apparent withdrawal of the M23 rebels indicates that international pressure may have succeeded in reversing their advance and staved off what could have been the start of a new war between the enormous, jungle-covered nation of Congo and its much smaller and more affluent neighbour, Rwanda.

However, General Francois Olenga inspected his troops at the military headquarters in Minova near Goma on Thursday and afterwards said he would be returning to the capital Kinshasa to plan for conflict.

"I am going to Kinshasa to prepare for war," he said.

The M23 rebels are widely believed to be financially and militarily backed by Rwanda, which is accused of using rebel groups to gain access to the mines that dot eastern Congo.

Large numbers of Congolese soldiers gathered for a pep talk from Olenga in Minova's stadium on Thursday, preparing for an offensive if the rebels refused to leave.

"Will you be able? Will you be able? I want to go back to Goma. Will you go with me?" Olenga barked at the lines of soldiers.

Despite the assurances by rebel leaders, the US State Department said it was unclear if the rebels will fully withdraw from Goma, the main trading and shipping point for the gold and tin carved out of North Kivu's mineral-rich soil.

Congo has agreed to negotiate with the rebels and hear their grievances once they have retreated 20 kilometres north of Goma.

Hundreds of soldiers defected from the army in April, launching the M23 rebellion.