By Sonia Rolley (Reuters) -Rwanda-backed M23 rebels staging an offensive in east Congo said on Saturday they would withdraw forces from the seized town of Walikale in support of peace efforts, having previously said they were leaving troops there as they pushed on to the capital.

On the ground in North Kivu, the M23/AFC announced that it has withdrawn from some of the areas it recently conquered during the fighting in March

The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, will reposition their forces from Walikale in eastern Congo, following recent territorial gains. This move supports peace efforts amidst the conflict influenced by Rwanda's 1994 genocide and mineral wealth competition.