"The EAC will fully support the peace process in Burundi," said Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni following a summit here with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.

Burundian President Domitien Nyayizeye and Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Mwakuta, respresenting President Paul Kagame, attended as observers.

Museveni said that lasting peace in the tiny central African nation was essential for development in the region.

Ndayizeye, who appealed to the three EAC presidents to admit Burundi to the EAC membership, "so that the war-torn nation can put its development gears on the move," said his country was on the verge of reaching a practical peace settlement.

"What we are remaining with is only the implementation of the ceasefire agreement," Ndayizeye told the three EAC presidents.

The Burundian government and the rebel Hutu group Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) signed ceasefire agreements in December and January, but the truce has been repeatedly violated.

Talks aimed at getting government troops and rebels in Burundi to implement a ceasefire ended in Dar es Salaam on Monday without progress.

WAR.WIRE