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Congo city panics as rebels near Congo city panics as rebels near
(20 minutes later)
Thousands of people fleeing fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo have poured into the eastern city of Goma.Thousands of people fleeing fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo have poured into the eastern city of Goma.
People displaced by violence to the north are moving into Goma, after seeing army troops retreat from an advance by Tutsi rebels.People displaced by violence to the north are moving into Goma, after seeing army troops retreat from an advance by Tutsi rebels.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the violence was "creating a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions" and called for an truce. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the fighting was "creating a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions" and appealed for an immediate ceasefire.
Reports quoting the UN mission in Congo said rebels had declared a ceasefire. The rebels were later reported to have called a unilateral truce.
Mr Ban had urged all parties "to immediately cease hostilities and to respect international humanitarian law". A rebel statement quoted by AFP news agency said the aim of the ceasefire was to avoid creating "panic among the Goma population".
The UN security council is to meet in an emergency session to discuss the crisis late on Wednesday.The UN security council is to meet in an emergency session to discuss the crisis late on Wednesday.
PanicPanic
A BBC correspondent in Goma says there was a "stampede" as thousands of displaced people poured into the city on the third day of fierce fighting in the area.A BBC correspondent in Goma says there was a "stampede" as thousands of displaced people poured into the city on the third day of fierce fighting in the area.
Congolese soldiers withdrawing from the village of Kibumba, 30km (20 miles) to the north, also retreated to the city, creating a sense of panic among the population, our correspondent adds.Congolese soldiers withdrawing from the village of Kibumba, 30km (20 miles) to the north, also retreated to the city, creating a sense of panic among the population, our correspondent adds.
Earlier in Kibumba, our reporter saw an exchange of fire across the Rwandan border. Rwanda denies claims it is backing the rebels.Earlier in Kibumba, our reporter saw an exchange of fire across the Rwandan border. Rwanda denies claims it is backing the rebels.
See detailed map of the area See detailed map of the area
DR Congo President Joseph Kabila has called for more soldiers to be sent to DR Congo, where the UN has 17,000 troops - the world's largest peacekeeping force.DR Congo President Joseph Kabila has called for more soldiers to be sent to DR Congo, where the UN has 17,000 troops - the world's largest peacekeeping force.
Eastern DR Congo's hellIn pictures: Thousands flee fightingQ&A: DR Congo conflictEastern DR Congo's hellIn pictures: Thousands flee fightingQ&A: DR Congo conflict
Meanwhile France, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said it supported sending forces to the area.Meanwhile France, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said it supported sending forces to the area.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said up to 1,500 men could be deployed "in Europe's name within eight to 10 days".French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said up to 1,500 men could be deployed "in Europe's name within eight to 10 days".
UN spokesman Madnodge Mounoubai, in the capital, Kinshasa, said the UN was not evacuating Goma.UN spokesman Madnodge Mounoubai, in the capital, Kinshasa, said the UN was not evacuating Goma.
He said civilian personnel were being moved to a base near Lake Kivu, because there were better facilities for the UN staff there including water and food.He said civilian personnel were being moved to a base near Lake Kivu, because there were better facilities for the UN staff there including water and food.
On Tuesday night, supporters of renegade General Laurent Nkunda's took the town of Rutshuru, near the Ugandan border.On Tuesday night, supporters of renegade General Laurent Nkunda's took the town of Rutshuru, near the Ugandan border.
Neighbouring Rwanda has been accused of backing Gen Nkunda, who left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after DR Congo's five-year conflict officially ended in 2003.Neighbouring Rwanda has been accused of backing Gen Nkunda, who left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after DR Congo's five-year conflict officially ended in 2003.
'Accusing us wrongly''Accusing us wrongly'
On Tuesday evening, Mr Kabila sent two envoys to Rwanda to discuss the crisis. But the Rwandan government continues to deny it has anything to do with the conflict.On Tuesday evening, Mr Kabila sent two envoys to Rwanda to discuss the crisis. But the Rwandan government continues to deny it has anything to do with the conflict.
"They have been accusing us but wrongly. Rwanda has never intervened in the Congo ever since we left on 5 October 2002," Joseph Mutaboba, the Rwandan president's special envoy to the Great Lakes, told the BBC's Network Africa programme."They have been accusing us but wrongly. Rwanda has never intervened in the Congo ever since we left on 5 October 2002," Joseph Mutaboba, the Rwandan president's special envoy to the Great Lakes, told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
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Footage of DR Congo government troops, displaced people and UN peacekeepersFootage of DR Congo government troops, displaced people and UN peacekeepers
Rwanda has twice invaded its much larger neighbour, saying it wants to stop Hutu rebels from operating there.Rwanda has twice invaded its much larger neighbour, saying it wants to stop Hutu rebels from operating there.
It claims that two rebel brigades are fighting with the Congolese army.It claims that two rebel brigades are fighting with the Congolese army.
Mr Kabila has appealed for a multinational force to help restore order.Mr Kabila has appealed for a multinational force to help restore order.
Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect the minority Tutsi community from the Hutu militia which carried out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect the minority Tutsi community from the Hutu militia which carried out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
But Alistair Dutton, Christian Aid humanitarian manager for Africa, told the BBC that the fighting was also for control of resources.But Alistair Dutton, Christian Aid humanitarian manager for Africa, told the BBC that the fighting was also for control of resources.
Eastern DR Congo is rich in gold and other minerals, such as coltan, used in mobile phones.Eastern DR Congo is rich in gold and other minerals, such as coltan, used in mobile phones.
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 refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area.Although he signed the deal, Gen Nkunda has refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area.
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