UN calls for surrender of Rwandan Hutu rebels in DR Congo

Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) soldiers patrol on November 27, 2008 in Lushebere, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. By Tony Karumba (AFP/File)

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations Security Council on Friday issued a fresh warning to Rwandan ethnic Hutu rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo to surrender or face possible military action.

The UN said the "swift neutralization" of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) was a top priority in order to achieve stability in the region.

The FDLR is a Rwandan Hutu militia that includes perpetrators of the 1994 genocide of Tutsis.

FDLR factions were given a six-month deadline to disarm in July, but UN officials have accused rebel leaders of stalling.

Only 200 fighters have agreed to lay down their arms out of 1,500 combatants, according to UN officials.

The council reiterated in a statement its support for DR Congo forces and the UN mission in the region, MONUSCO, to "undertake military action" against FDLR leaders and members who failed to lay down their weapons.

The council members also "rejected any call for political dialogue with the FDLR and reaffirmed the need to arrest and bring to justice those responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity."

The FDLR already faces UN sanctions while the group's leader Sylvestre Mudacumura is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes.