Congo leader to visit US

Washington - The new leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Joseph Kabila, will visit the United States this week…

Washington - The new leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Joseph Kabila, will visit the United States this week, the State Department said yesterday.

President Kabila will be in Washington for a national prayer breakfast on Thursday, the State Department spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, said. Before returning home, he will also travel to New York to discuss the situation in his country with the United Nations Security Council, UN diplomats said.

President George W. Bush last week sent President Kabila a letter of condolence following his father's death, and the new leader met the US ambassador to the DRC, Mr William Swing, in what officials said were cordial talks.