The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) said Saturday it has authorized to deploy military observers for DR Congo's presidential and legislative elections due on July 30.

In a communique issued after its 54th meeting held on Friday, the council "authorizes, should the need arises, that military observers be deployed under the authority of the AU."

Such a deployment should be carried out in close consultation with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and all other stakeholders, said the communique.

In the communique, the council further requested the AU Commission to "speed up the ongoing preparations for the timely deployment of a strong AU civilian electoral observer mission."

The upcoming elections will be the first multi-party polls held in D. R. Congo in more than four decades.

Source: Xinhua