The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to hold talks with the rebels to end the long running conflict in the east of the country.
The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Monday.
Until now the Congolese government has refused calls for direct talks with the rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that it may take up to six months for 3,000 additional UN troops to join the 17,000 strong UN peacekeeping mission already in the Congo.
The renewed violence has forced some 250,000 people from their homes, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
