By EDDY ISANGO

Associated Press Writer

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) _ Veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi returned to Congo’s capital Sunday after two years in exile, saying he would not participate in a power-sharing government but would help pave the way for elections after nearly five years of war.

Thousands turned out to welcome Tshisekedi, singing and dancing in the streets of Kinshasa.

``I bring for the people and the entire Congolese political establishment a message of love, a message of reconciliation, a message of harmony, a message of unity,’’ Tshisekedi, sporting a black beret, said upon his arrival from South Africa, where he spent most of his time in exile.

Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress, or UDPS, took part in talks that led to the formation of a unity government in June, but complained of cheating in the selection of a vice president and other representatives from the political opposition.

The new administration joins President Joseph Kabila with four vice presidents _ two rebel leaders who fought to overthrow him, one member of the political opposition, and one Kabila loyalist.

Tshisekedi said he and his party had no interest in participating in transitional structures, but would prepare for elections promised within two years.

``The UDPS is in its place at the people’s side,’’ he told reporters at the airport. ``We must not be distracted.’’

Tshisekedi fled Congo in November 2000 after repeated clashes with the government of Joseph Kabila’s father, Laurent. He briefly visited rebel-held eastern Congo in June before returning to Kinshasa on Sunday.

Congo’s war broke out in August 1998 when Uganda and Rwanda sent troops to back rebels seeking to oust then-President Laurent Kabila. It drew in more than six African countries and killed an estimated 3 million people.

Laurent Kabila was assassinated in January 2001 by one of his own bodyguards and succeeded by his son, Joseph, who pushed forward peace efforts that eventually led to the withdrawal of foreign armies and formation of the power-sharing government.