THE HAGUE, Jan 29 (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled on Monday there was enough evidence against a Congolese militiaman to launch the new court's first trial.

The decision to confirm charges that Thomas Lubanga had recruited children for use as soldiers paves the way for a trial, which is a major landmark for the ICC, set up as the first permanent global war crimes court in 2002.

The Democratic Republic of Congo -- rich in gold, diamonds and timber -- was the battleground for rebels, local factions, tribes and several neighbouring countries, in a 1998-2003 war in which 4 million people died, mainly from hunger and disease.

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