Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decadeslong fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east.The two sides signed a declaration of principles whose terms include a "permanent ceasefire",

The declaration establishes a ceasefire in eastern Congo and addresses M23 rebel withdrawal from seized territories.