UNITED NATIONS, Oct 31 (Reuters) - African Union leaders have suggested calling a regional summit to try to resolve the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations said on Friday.

A U.N. statement said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is AU chairman, and AU Commission chief Jean Ping had made the proposal in telephone talks with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has been trying to bring involved parties together.

Forces controlled by rebel Congolese Gen. Laurent Nkunda advanced on Wednesday to the gates of the major eastern city of Goma, driving back Congo's army. Nkunda then declared a cease-fire, but the offensive has caused chaos and raised fears of a return to all-out war in Congo.

The U.N. statement said that in calls to African, European and U.S. leaders, Ban, who is touring in Asia, had urged them to "to do all they can to bring the parties to a neutral venue for negotiations."

It said Kikwete and Ping both suggested calling a regional summit, possibly at the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam or the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. (Reporting by Patrick Worsnip; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

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