It foresees an integrated force being deployed for an initial period of three months at Goma airport. It would include a 100-strong neutral force, which would be in command, 100 troops from the Congolese army, and 100 members of the M23, Nyakairima said. Two military observers would also be deployed from each of the neighboring regional powers, while MONUSCO would be responsible for securing a buffer zone.

The deadlines stipulated under the plan outlined by Nyakairima are already slipping, with the M23 group supposed to have begun its withdrawal from Goma by noon on Tuesday. That withdrawal is meant to be complete within 48 hours, save for the force of 100 to be left at the airport.

The Congolese army should be back on the streets of Goma on Thursday, according to the proposal.

At the United Nations on Monday, a spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the rebels "to immediately lay down their arms in accordance with the agreements reached in Kampala and comply with the immediate withdrawal of their forces from Goma."

The spokesman, Eduardo del Buey, said Ban would also make sure that the U.N. peacekeeping mission MONUSCO is able "to respond to the evolving challenges."

But, he added: "The mandate of MONUSCO is to protect civilians. It is not to fight the M23 on its own. That is the responsibility of the Congolese armed forces, and the maintaining of security is the primary responsibility of the Congolese police."

Rene Abandi, a spokesman for the M23 group, told reporters on the sidelines of the Great Lakes region conference Saturday that the rebels' main aim was to force President Kabila to agree to talks.