Washington - The top US envoy for Africa arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday for talks aimed at ending the violence that has embroiled the country.

Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer was in Kinshasa to meet with President Joseph Kabila and has tentative plans to visit neighbouring Rwanda for talks with President Paul Kagame, deputy State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.

"She is there to try to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict," Wood said.

Kagame's government has been under attack by Tutsi rebels suspected of being backed by Rwanda. UN peacekeepers had been unable to stop the fighting until a ceasefire was declared Wednesday evening.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke with Kagame on Wednesday as well and has been closely monitoring the situation in the country, Wood said.

The United States has expressed support for strengthening the contingency of UN peacekeepers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Congolese army was forced to retreat on Wednesday along with thousands of displaced people after the rebels advanced toward the key city of Goma. (dpa)