U.N., Congo snagged on timing of peacekeeper exit

KINSHASA May 15 (Reuters) - The United Nations insisted on Saturday any pull-out of peacekeepers from Democratic Republic of Congo would depend on security conditions, while the central African state stuck to an end-2011 deadline.

Potential investors and human rights groups fear a too hasty withdrawal of the 20,500-strong MONUC force would trigger more violence in a country struggling to recover from a 1998-2003 war and which is still battling rebels across its territory.

"This is about knowing that when MONUC withdraws, authorities will be able to ensure security," French U.N. envoy Gerard Araud, head of a U.N. Security Council mission to Congo said after talks with President Joseph Kabila.

On Friday, Congo reaffirmed its demand for a phased pull-out of peacekeepers to be completed by the end of next year.

"Regarding the withdrawal of MONUC, the government wishes that it be done progressively in 18 months between June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2011," Prime Minister Adlophe Muzito's office said in a statement.

MONUC's mandate expires on May 31. Araud said there were disagreements within the U.N. Security Council itself as to how the force would evolve from a peacekeeping force to a broader "stabilisation" mission.

Government and U.N. sources also said that Congo was ready to accept U.N. assistance for parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for next year. (Reporting by Thomas Hubert; Editing by Mark John)