Neighbouring Angola caught many by surprise this week by saying Congo and M23 would sit down for direct talks in its capital on March 18, at a time when the rebels are still seizing territory rich with coltan, tantalum and other minerals.

Tshisekedi's government has so far not committed publicly, but three government sources told Reuters this week he was seriously considering sending a delegation.

With DRC's army and allied forces putting up weak resistance to the rebel advance, regional powers appear in agreement that dialogue is the only way forward, diplomats and analysts said.

"I haven't talked to a single African country that says Kinshasa shouldn't talk to M23," one senior diplomat said.

"The line of everyone is, 'How do you stop the fighting if you don't engage with them?'"

One source said on Friday that government participation was a sure thing but that it was still too early to say who would represent Kinshasa in Luanda.

Other sources said the debate was still ongoing and that a final decision was not likely to be made until next week.

M23, for its part, said on Thursday it was demanding an unequivocal commitment from Tshisekedi to engage in talks.Both sides said they had questions about the framework and how the Angola-hosted talks would comply with decisions from regional bodies attempting to resolve the conflict.

Southern and East African foreign and defence ministers are due to meet in Harare on Monday to discuss the push for a cessation of hostilities and political dialogue.

--Reuters--