Rebels claimed to have captured another town in their five-month drive to oust President Mobutu Sese Seko, and African leaders announced they would meet next week to discuss the crisis.

The government denied that rebels had taken the town of Kongolo, about 400 miles southeast of the strategic port city of Kisangani.

The rebels were not invited to the summit, said Kenyan Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka, who announced the March 19 talks. He said the presidents of Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Congo and Tanzania would attend.