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UK troops 'may be sent to Congo' UK troops 'may be sent to Congo'
(40 minutes later)
Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown has warned British troops may be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo.Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown has warned British troops may be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He told the BBC's Today programme that it could be an option if diplomacy could not resolve fighting between the country's government and rebel forces.He told the BBC's Today programme that it could be an option if diplomacy could not resolve fighting between the country's government and rebel forces.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French counterpart Bernard Kouchner are in the country for talks.Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French counterpart Bernard Kouchner are in the country for talks.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was hopeful progress could be made.
It is thought more than 250,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.It is thought more than 250,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.
Lord Malloch-Brown, the UK Minister for Africa, said the UK and other European powers had to get involved if no solution was in sight.Lord Malloch-Brown, the UK Minister for Africa, said the UK and other European powers had to get involved if no solution was in sight.
He said that contingency plans were being drawn up for the deployment of an EU force to bolster United Nations peacekeepers.He said that contingency plans were being drawn up for the deployment of an EU force to bolster United Nations peacekeepers.
He said: "We have certainly got to have it as an option which is developed and on the table if we need it.He said: "We have certainly got to have it as an option which is developed and on the table if we need it.
"The first line of call on this should be the deployment of the UN's own troops from elsewhere in the country."The first line of call on this should be the deployment of the UN's own troops from elsewhere in the country.
"But we have got to have plans. If everything else fails we cannot stand back and watch violence erupt."But we have got to have plans. If everything else fails we cannot stand back and watch violence erupt.
He called the UK a "stand-by country" but stressed this plan was only if everything else failed.He called the UK a "stand-by country" but stressed this plan was only if everything else failed.
"The idea of a European force is very much at the back of the line and a contingency that we hope that we will not need to be drawn on," he said."The idea of a European force is very much at the back of the line and a contingency that we hope that we will not need to be drawn on," he said.
Mr Miliband and Mr Kouchner intend to impress on both countries the need to find a solution "urgently".Mr Miliband and Mr Kouchner intend to impress on both countries the need to find a solution "urgently".
A tense ceasefire is holding in the eastern city of Goma, from which thousands of people fled as rebels advanced on Wednesday.A tense ceasefire is holding in the eastern city of Goma, from which thousands of people fled as rebels advanced on Wednesday.
But the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, says it has credible reports that camps sheltering 50,000 displaced people in the eastern DR Congo have been destroyed.But the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, says it has credible reports that camps sheltering 50,000 displaced people in the eastern DR Congo have been destroyed.
'Negotiating table'
Rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.Rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
It has been alleged that the Rwandan government has given him some support, which it strongly denies.It has been alleged that the Rwandan government has given him some support, which it strongly denies.
The European Union has been trying to bring Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Congolese president Joseph Kabila together.The European Union has been trying to bring Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Congolese president Joseph Kabila together.
'Underlying problem' The prime minister said he had asked Mr Miliband to go to the country and was hopeful the diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis will "make progress".
He said: "My worry is about the thousands of people who have been displaced at the moment by the violence which is taking place.
"That is why it is essential it ends immediately. There is only a political solution to this by discussion, not by military means."Killings, rapes and looting have been reported around Goma
He said he would continue to monitor the situation but felt it was essential for the country leaders to "return to the negotiating table".
A Foreign Office spokesman said Mr Miliband and Mr Kouchner were not going to set "unrealistic ambitions" for the visit but their trip indicated how concerned the UK and the France was about the situation.A Foreign Office spokesman said Mr Miliband and Mr Kouchner were not going to set "unrealistic ambitions" for the visit but their trip indicated how concerned the UK and the France was about the situation.
Killings, rapes and looting have been reported around Goma
He said: "They will impress upon the leaders of both countries the seriousness of the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - the need to engage urgently to find a solution to the underlying problem and to take stock of the situation as they find it.He said: "They will impress upon the leaders of both countries the seriousness of the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - the need to engage urgently to find a solution to the underlying problem and to take stock of the situation as they find it.
The Department for International Development is sending a further £5 million in aid to provide food, water and shelter for refugees from the violence. The UK already provides £42m to DR Congo each year.The Department for International Development is sending a further £5 million in aid to provide food, water and shelter for refugees from the violence. The UK already provides £42m to DR Congo each year.
Oxfam has removed its international staff from Goma as a "precautionary measure" and Save the Children began the evacuation of its staff in the North Kivu province because their lives were threatened, it said.Oxfam has removed its international staff from Goma as a "precautionary measure" and Save the Children began the evacuation of its staff in the North Kivu province because their lives were threatened, it said.
Aid agencies say the situation in and around Goma remained highly volatile with access to those in need extremely difficult.Aid agencies say the situation in and around Goma remained highly volatile with access to those in need extremely difficult.