This, having previously said they were leaving troops there as they pushed on to the capital.

The government said it hoped the move would be translated into concrete action after M23 this week pulled out of planned talks with Congolese authorities at the last minute due to European Union sanctions on some of its leaders and Rwandan officials.

It would have been their first direct engagement with Congo's government after President Felix Tshisekedi reversed his longstanding refusal to speak to the rebels.

The Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, said in a statement on Saturday that it had "decided to reposition its forces" from Walikale and surrounding areas that M23 took control of this week.

This decision was in line with a ceasefire declared in February and in support of peace initiatives, it said in a statement that was greeted with scepticism by army officers.

--Reuters--