1.   The rebels easily conquered the eastern third and for months, have been eating slowly into the southern part, heading for the diamond capital, Mbuji Mayi.

2.   As the rebels conquer more territory, however, Kabila may encounter more problems.

3.   A senior diplomat privately told AFP that if rebels had conquered Lubumbashi, negotiators might have been able to reach a ceasefire agreement at the Pretoria talks.

4.   Local and expatriate businessmen in areas of eastern Zaire newly conquered by rebels fighting the Kinshasa government are finding that life is not much better under the new regime.

5.   The rebels have conquered more than half this vast nation, which is five times the size of France, since starting their offensive in October last year.