Kigali, 25 Feb-(ANA)-Thousands of Rwandan troops have started to leave Democratic Republic of Congo five weeks after they crossed the border to attack Hutu rebels.
A ceremony has been held in the main eastern Congolese city of Goma, to mark their withdrawal.
Rwanda's foreign minister says the joint operation "seriously weakened" the FDLR rebels but correspondents say civilians paid a heavy price.
The rebel presence in DR Congo lies behind years of conflict in the region.
Some of the FDLR leaders are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, before they fled to DR Congo.
Rwanda has twice invaded its larger neighbour, saying it must take action against the mainly Hutu forces.
But in January, the two countries agreed to take joint action against the FDLR.
The Rwandan forces also arrested Congolese Tutsi rebel leader Laurent Nkunda - a bitter enemy of the Congolese authorities. (ANA)
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