KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The leaders of Congo and Rwanda have agreed in principle to back a neutral international armed force to combat Congo’s newest rebellion and other fighters terrorizing civilians in the country’s mineral-rich east, and the African Union said it could help by sending soldiers.

Congo state television said leaders of the two countries met Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — their first meeting since accusations backed by a U.N. report charge Rwanda helped create and arm the new M23 rebels. Rwanda denies the allegations.