DR Congo president says to form national unity govt.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)'s President Joseph Kabila has announced he will soon form a government of national unity to include members of the opposition and civil society groups.

"A national unity government will be formed soon," he said when briefing parliament on Wednesday on the recommendations formulated during the National Consultative Forum organized last month.

"Its mission will be to restore peace and state authority across the country, consolidate national unity, support the devolution process and organization of elections as well as improve people's social conditions," Kabila said.

He reiterated that a national committee will be set up to monitor the implementation of all the recommendations that emanated from the National Consultative Forum.

The committee will have a one-year mandate that is renewable and will be placed under the authority of the two speakers of parliament.

In his speech to parliament, Kabila said members of the national unity government will be required to declare their wealth before taking their office.

On the social front, Kabila expected the new government to come up with a better national policy on education of disabled children, protection of orphans, the elderly and the vulnerable.

In the economic sector, he wished the new government adopt measures to boost agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, put in place a national economic council and implement measures aimed at ensuring that only Congolese nationals engage in small scale businesses.

The National Consultative Forum brought together about 800 participants representing various social and political groups to discuss how to promote national cohesion, which is essential for resolving the different crises in the Central African country.