France, April 24 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have jointly pledged to halt fighting in the east of the country while they work towards a permanent truce. The surprise announcement follows the latest round of talks in Doha mediated by Qatar.

Each side released the same statement separately on Wednesday after their delegations left Qatar following more than a week of discussions.

Read on DR Congo national television and released by an M23 spokeperson, it said: "Both parties reaffirm their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities, a categorical rejection of any hate speech, intimidation, and call on local communities to uphold these commitments."

It described their talks as "frank and constru...