New York  - The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned continued attacks on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo by illegal armed groups that have defied calls to disband.

The council singled out the Lord's Resistance Army, which originated in Uganda, and the Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda, both of which ravage the northeastern parts of Congo in areas adjacent to Rwanda and Uganda.

The council said the two groups have committed grave human rights violations, including widespread sexual violence and the recruitment of children for combat.

The council supported Kinshasa's so-called zero-tolerance policy against criminal acts by the government armed forces, which have been accused of some of the same crimes committed by the illegal groups.

Alan Doss, the UN special envoy for Congo, said in a briefing with the council that efforts to disband the illegal groups was underway. But the groups have launched reprisal attacks, causing large sections of the population to be displaced.

The UN said Rwanda, Congo and Uganda have cooperated to try to disband the groups, resulting in some results.

But Doss turned to the serious problem of stopping human rights abuses committed by both sides in the conflict in the Congo.

"The military must sanction soldiers found guilty of crimes involving sexual violence, and by holding commanders responsible for the behaviour of their troops," Doss said.

He called on Congo's President Joseph Kabila, who declared the zero-tolerance policy, to instruct the defence minister to meet with all commanders in the field and hold them accountable for crimes by troops under their command. (dpa)