DR Congo rebels advance

LUPIA, Zambia - Rwandan-backed Congolese rebels are advancing on two key Democratic Republic of Congo government supply lines in a bid to take control of the frontier with Zambia, rebel and intelligence sources said on Sunday. The sources said the rebels were forcing soldiers loyal to Congo president Laurent Kabila into Zambia to clear the frontline of the enemy before advancing back into the country to take control of key areas in the DRC. The retreat of up to 8,000 Kabila loyalists and 60,000 civilians who have fled across the border to escape the fierce fighting has strained Zambia, which has deployed 3,500 of its own troops in the area. Zambian intelligence sources said the rebels were pushing steadily towards the tiny DRC border town of Mulilo, the main government supply access on Lake Tanganyika, which was still heavily defended by forces loyal to Kabila. "The rebels are moving to Lake Tanganyika. They want Mulilo," said a senior Zambian intelligence officer. "That is forcing Congo troops and refugees to head to Zambia. We expect an increase in refugee arrivals," he said. Ends