"While we are looking at the practical aspects of installing the transition (government), we have learned of a decision taken unilaterally by Mr (Azarias) Ruberwa, president of the RCD, to create three military regions," said follow-up commission spokesman Atanase Matenda.

According to a document, of which AFP was able to obtain a copy, Ruberwa has set up three military regions in eastern, northern and southern DRC.

Later Saturday, RCD official Crispin Kabasele-Tshimanga told AFP the issue was still open to discussion.

"All we did was adapt our situation to that of the territories administered by the government or the (rebel) Congo Liberation Movement," he said in a telephone interview.

The official denied that the three regions created by the RCD extended beyond the area controlled by the group, which on Saturday declared its five year war against Kinshasa as over.

Kabasele-Tshimanga said the RCD "was very open to national talks on the division of the country into new military regions and even on attributing these regions to new bodies."

WAR.WIRE