LUANDA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Angolan presidency announced late Monday on the social media platform Facebook that direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group will proceed "as scheduled" on Tuesday in Luanda, the capital of Angola, despite the M23's earlier announcement of withdrawal.

"All conditions have been met for the negotiations to begin on March 18, as planned," the statement said, adding that the DRC government delegation had already arrived in Luanda, while the M23 delegation was expected later.

Angola's presidency and foreign ministry have not yet responded to Xinhua's inquiries regarding the M23's announced withdrawal from the peace talks.

The Angolan statement came about an hour and a half after the M23 declared it "can no longer continue" to participate in the peace talks, citing "successive sanctions that undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible."

Tina Salama, spokesperson for the DRC presidency, told the media that the DRC delegation, originally scheduled to depart for Luanda late Monday, would still proceed with the trip despite the M23's absence.

Last Wednesday, Angola announced it would host direct peace negotiations between the DRC government and the M23 rebels in Luanda on March 18. Enditem

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