United Nations (United States) - The UN Security Council met behind closed doors on Friday to discuss the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo as world powers awaited results.
France requested the meeting as the European Union and the African Union urged DR Congo authorities to respect the outcome of the December 30 vote.
Election results were initially scheduled to be released on Sunday but could be delayed.
During a nearly two-hour meeting, the council failed to agree on a press statement on the elections. Several countries including African nations said such a move was premature, diplomats said.
French Ambassador Francois Delattre said following the meeting that “the consolidation of the results must continue with transparency” and that the results to be announced “must be consistent with the vote of the Congolese people.”
The council will hold a public meeting on Tuesday to again discuss the elections.
Western powers hope sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest country will see its first peaceful change of the presidency since independence in 1960.  (AFP)