Congolese officials are in talks Sunday with representatives of M23, the rebel group that last week took control of the eastern Congo city of Goma, according to Ugandan officials.

Ugandan Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga said that he is mediating discussions to help both sides reach a settlement that would end a violent rebellion that has sucked in Uganda and Rwanda, which both face charges of backing the rebels.

M23 President Bishop Jean-Marie Runiga is leading the rebels in the talks, according to M23 in Congo.

A regional summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region in Kampala, including Congo President Joseph Kabila and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, on Saturday called on the rebels to leave Goma and urged Kabila to listen to the "legitimate grievances" of M23.

Despite the regional leaders' demands for the rebel forces to withdraw from Goma, M23 soldiers were visibly in control of the city Sunday. M23 also still held Sake, a contested town 25 kilometres west of Goma. The Congolese army attacked the town Saturday, but M23 retained control.

M23 President Runiga said that withdrawal from Goma was "under consideration" and, while M23 did not oppose the idea "in principle," no decision had been taken yet, according to M23 spokesman Lt. Col. Vianney Kazarama, speaking to the Associated Press. Runiga is still in Kampala and no official response to the demands from the regional summit is expected before his return to Congo, said Kazarama in Goma.

"We are waiting to hear from Runiga when he will be back from Kampala," said Kazarama.

Door open to find 'durable peace'

Congolese President Joseph Kabila also met briefly with Runiga in Kampala, said M23's deputy spokesman Amani Kabasha.

"Since May we have asked to meet with President Kabila," said Kabasha. "At least now there has been contact. The door is open for talks to find the durable peace that eastern Congo needs."

Government troops remain in Minova, 25 kilometres south of Sake, following a failed attack on M23 on Thursday 22 November.

Unruly Congo army soldiers had looted residents for the third night running, according to a UN official in the town, who insisted upon anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press. UN peacekeepers patroled Minova throughout the night to protect civilians from the rampaging government troops.

No movement of government forces at Minova was reported. Congolese army spokesman Colonel Olivier Hamuli was not available for comment when contacted by telephone, but an M23 communique sent Saturday night claimed that government regiments were moving into attack positions around rebel-held territory.

"Let them attack us!" said M23 spokesman Kazarama. "Do they have the strength? Absolutely not, we are in a strong position."