African leaders have announced the withdrawal of thousands of troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, who were sent to fight insurgents in mineral-rich eastern Congo, where M23 rebels have killed peacekeepers while overrunning the region this year.

African leaders announced a phased military withdrawal from eastern Congo, involving troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, deployed against insurgencies by M23 rebels. The decision follows increasing opposition and the deaths of peacekeepers.

Airport officials failed to provide any concrete explanation for the denial, suggesting they were following higher orders.

Angola is under fire after it denied entry to several senior African political figures set to attend a conference hosted by the country's main opposition party. Unita said it had invited the politicians,