Congo reported rearming despite peace pact

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Government forces and rebel troops are re-arming and recruiting for an expected conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Western officials said.

U.S. and European Union officials warned that the situation is increasingly tense despite a January peace deal, the BBC said Friday.

Human rights groups say that thousands of people fled the area. Another report said planeloads of government arms had been flown into the area.

Anneke van Woudenberg of Human Rights Watch, who returned from the area, warned that the peace was "very fragile and shaky."