The presidents of Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which is backing a rebel siege in the eastern flank of its neighbor, pledged to ease tensions following a surprise meeting in Qatar.

The presidents of Congo and Rwanda have met in Qatar for their first direct talks since Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seized two major cities in mineral-rich eastern Congo earlier this year

DOHA (Reuters) -Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame held face-to-face talks on Tuesday mediated by the emir of Qatar to address the conflict in eastern Congo, the three governments said.