Goma, the main Rwandan-backed rebel group during Congo's five-year civil war in which armed groups backed by Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and other neighboring countries also participated, was meeting in the eastern city of Goma to weigh its options. Tiny Rwanda has already twice invaded Congo -- Africa's third largest country -- in 1996 and in 1998, to root out Hutu extremists who fled there after committing the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Rwanda's second invasion triggered the Congo civil war which at its height dragged in six African armies. Three million people died, mostly from hunger and disease. The conflict was declared over last year and a transitional government, bringing together President Joseph Kabila and his former foes, has been set up. But progress toward peace has been slow and the June revolt in Bukavu highlighted the challenges facing the government as it tries to restore its authority across the vast country. --SP 2141 Local Time 1841 GMT
