Clare Short described the talks as 'warm'

In the confusion that followed, the delegations decided to leave for a hotel in the nearest town in Uganda - Kabale. There, talks continued for a further one-and-a-half hours.

A joint statement issued after the meeting reiterated the conclusions of last week's meeting between the Rwandan and Ugandan defence ministers - that each side would try to persuade the dissidents it is sheltering to take refuge in a third country.

The presidents also agreed to push for the establishment of a mutual extradition treaty.

Body language

At the end of the meeting Miss Short was the most upbeat of the three participants, saying the talks had been positively warm and friendly.

Rwanda and Uganda went into DR Congo as comrades-in-arms

That was belied to some extent by the body language of the two presidents - Mr Museveni looked quite pleased with himself and his eyes twinkled as he smiled. Mr Kagame looked more preoccupied.

The most positive sign that tension between the two countries has in fact eased came as the convoy left Kabale.

It drew to a sudden halt in the town centre, sending journalists tumbling out of cars to see if there had been an accident.

Instead they caught a glimpse of the two presidents addressing the town's inhabitants to the sound of cheering.