Africa Leaders Seek End to War in Zaire

Diplomatic efforts to end this nation’s civil war intensified Tuesday, with African foreign ministers converging on the capital and a U.N. envoy indicating that Zaire may be interested in negotiating with the rebels.

The U.N. Security Council also met in New York to consider a plan to end the fighting in eastern Zaire. Council diplomats who requested anonymity said the five permanent council members--the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China--have signed off on the plan.

African foreign ministers arrived in Kinshasa for talks with Zairian officials. Before leaving Nairobi, Kenya, the foreign ministers from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Cameroon, Congo and Zimbabwe said they will prepare the way for a summit of regional leaders.

Zaire has refused to attend two such summits. However, diplomats and Zairian observers say President Mobutu Sese Seko is facing increased pressure within his party to negotiate with rebels.