KINSHASA, Sept 20, 2007 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila has urged the Nkunda rebel fighters in the eastern region to disarm unconditionally and rejoin the government army, a UN radio stationed here reported Thursday.

While visiting the violence-plagued north Kivu province on Wednesday, Kabila said the rebels could choose between rejoining the army or "severe punishment."

Nkunda, a former DRC officer, first led a revolt in 2004, saying that he was fighting to protect his Tutsi people in eastern DRC against unfair treatment. Nkunda rebels and government soldiers have been fighting fiercely in north and south Kivu provinces since August this year.