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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| UN joins battle with Congo rebels | UN joins battle with Congo rebels |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| UN peacekeeping forces are engaged in heavy fighting against rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. | UN peacekeeping forces are engaged in heavy fighting against rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. |
| The head of the UN mission, Alan Doss, told the BBC that helicopter gunships and armoured units were supporting the Congolese army north of Goma. | The head of the UN mission, Alan Doss, told the BBC that helicopter gunships and armoured units were supporting the Congolese army north of Goma. |
| The clashes followed reports that hundreds of protesters had attacked the mission's headquarters, saying the UN was not doing enough to protect them. | The clashes followed reports that hundreds of protesters had attacked the mission's headquarters, saying the UN was not doing enough to protect them. |
| At least 20,000 people are reported to be fleeing towards Goma. | At least 20,000 people are reported to be fleeing towards Goma. |
| The UN is trying to help government forces prevent rebel troops loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda from advancing on Goma, capital of North Kivu province. | The UN is trying to help government forces prevent rebel troops loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda from advancing on Goma, capital of North Kivu province. |
| "We can't allow population centres to be threatened," Mr Doss said. "We had to engage." | "We can't allow population centres to be threatened," Mr Doss said. "We had to engage." |
| The muscular response from the UN shows how serious the rebel advance is, reports BBC World Affairs correspondent Mark Doyle. | The muscular response from the UN shows how serious the rebel advance is, reports BBC World Affairs correspondent Mark Doyle. |
| Earlier, the UN had said it was considering using helicopter gunships against the rebels, but that government troops were also in the area and could be hit. | Earlier, the UN had said it was considering using helicopter gunships against the rebels, but that government troops were also in the area and could be hit. |
| Goma threat | Goma threat |
| News of the UN's engagement came as it was confirmed the military commander of the UN mission in DRC - Spain's Lt Gen Vicente Diaz de Villegas y Herreria - had resigned for "personal reasons" after just seven weeks in the job. | News of the UN's engagement came as it was confirmed the military commander of the UN mission in DRC - Spain's Lt Gen Vicente Diaz de Villegas y Herreria - had resigned for "personal reasons" after just seven weeks in the job. |
| The UN said it was working to "ensure continuity of command and to replace General Diaz as quickly as possible". | The UN said it was working to "ensure continuity of command and to replace General Diaz as quickly as possible". |
| In pictures: Thousands flee fighting | In pictures: Thousands flee fighting |
| In Goma, a UN spokeswoman said that cars were being damaged and windows shattered in the regional capital as protesters attacked the UN base. | In Goma, a UN spokeswoman said that cars were being damaged and windows shattered in the regional capital as protesters attacked the UN base. |
| Demonstrators are angry that the 17,000-strong UN force has not better protected them against an offensive by rebel forces. | Demonstrators are angry that the 17,000-strong UN force has not better protected them against an offensive by rebel forces. |
| Over the weekend the rebels, who say they are protecting the area's Tutsi minority, captured a major army camp at Rumangabo and the headquarters of Virunga national park. | Over the weekend the rebels, who say they are protecting the area's Tutsi minority, captured a major army camp at Rumangabo and the headquarters of Virunga national park. |
| A BBC reporter in eastern DR Congo says the main Kibumba camp for displaced people near Rumangabo has emptied, as people flee towards the city. | A BBC reporter in eastern DR Congo says the main Kibumba camp for displaced people near Rumangabo has emptied, as people flee towards the city. |
| Gen Nkunda has threatened to take control of Goma. | Gen Nkunda has threatened to take control of Goma. |
| The UN accused his soldiers of firing rockets at two UN vehicles on Sunday, injuring several troops. | The UN accused his soldiers of firing rockets at two UN vehicles on Sunday, injuring several troops. |
| A spokesman for Gen Nkunda denied the rebels were involved. | A spokesman for Gen Nkunda denied the rebels were involved. |
| His rebels attacked Goma last December. Hundreds of them died as the UN used helicopters under its mandate to protect civilians. | His rebels attacked Goma last December. Hundreds of them died as the UN used helicopters under its mandate to protect civilians. |
| A peace deal was signed in Goma between the government and various rebel groups at the end of January. | A peace deal was signed in Goma between the government and various rebel groups at the end of January. |
| Although he signed the deal, Gen Nkunda has always refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area. | Although he signed the deal, Gen Nkunda has always refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area. |
| About 200,000 people fled their homes after fighting resumed in the area in late August. | About 200,000 people fled their homes after fighting resumed in the area in late August. |
| The United Nations says many refugees are malnourished and some are dying of hunger. | |
| Are you in Democratic Republic of Congo? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |