(BRUSSELS) - European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed concern Tuesday about renewed violence in eastern DR Congo and about calls by a rebel leader to topple the country's government.

"The High Representative is particularly concerned about recent declarations by Laurent Nkunda calling for the overthrow the legitimate government of the Democratic Republic of Congo," Solana's office said in a statement.

The EU official called for an "immediate respect for the ceasefire" signed in January by the government and rebels loyal to Nkunda, who resumed fighting in late August.

In remarks to the BBC last week, Nkunda called on Congolese to "stand up" to the national government and said his rebels would "fight until the people are liberated."

His remarks have sparked criticism by both the UN's special envoy to DR Congo and the coordinator of the country's peace process.

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