Nairobi/Kinshasa - French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday called for a new momentum for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a speech to lawmakers in the central African nation.

Sarkozy, who travelled with a delegation of ministers and business representatives, said that there was a need to unite various rebel factions and regional governments in order to avoid further chaos.

Rebel groups have in recent years continued to cause trouble in the east of DR Congo, with last year seeing a flare-up in fighting that displaced over 250,000 people.

Sarkozy's visit is tinged with controversy over comments he made suggesting that DR Congo share its mineral wealth with neighbouring Rwanda in order to bring peace to the east.

Rwanda has been accused of backing Tutsi rebel group the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) in DR Congo, although Rwanda arrested CNDP leader Laurent Nkunda in January during a joint operation with the Congolese army.

The CNDP has now agreed to join the Congolese army, but other militias remain in operation.

Sarkozy praised Congolese President Joseph Kabila for cooperating with Rwanda on a recent mission aimed at flushing out Hutu militia in DR Congo.

Sarkozy's delegation was also hoping to agree contracts in the mining, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.

Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of AREVA, signed an agreement with the Congolese Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu, on the prospecting and mining of DR Congo's sizeable uranium reserves.

The French president will also travel to the Republic of Congo and Niger, former French colonies, over the next few days.

AREVA, which specializes in nuclear power, has significant interests in Niger. (dpa)