(KINSHASA) - The UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo held out hope for a backstop European force for the turmoil-torn east Wednesday, even as EU members said immediate prospects were dim.

"MONUC continues to hope that a European Union force will be sent because we really need coverage in the interim" until more UN forces can be sent, said Madnodje Mounoubai, spokesman for the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Both Belgium and France, which are pushing for an interim European mission to Congo, have ruled out that happening in the immediate future for lack of larger European support and leadership.

The European Union's top diplomat Javier Solana also said Wednesday the issue "is not being discussed" within the 27-member bloc.

But Mounoubai remained hopeful, noting both French and British foreign ministers had recently visited Goma, the capital of volatile eastern Nord-Kivu province, and seen the suffering of the local population.

"So long as the process is not finished, we remain optimistic," he said.

Last month, the UN Security Council authorised 3,000 more peacekeepers to bolster the 5,000 already on the ground in Nord-Kivu.

With 17,000 troops, MONUC is already the UN's biggest peacekeeping mission in the world.

The eastern Congolese conflict pits rebels allied to Tutsi leader Laurent Nkunda against the government forces and militia groups and has forced some 250,000 people to flee their homes in recent months.

bbos-chp/eb/mb

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.