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| UN caught in new DR Congo clashes | UN caught in new DR Congo clashes |
| (18 minutes later) | |
| Peacekeepers have been caught up in renewed clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after days of relative calm, the United Nations says. | Peacekeepers have been caught up in renewed clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after days of relative calm, the United Nations says. |
| Fighting broke out between rebel forces and two pro-government militias, said a UN spokeswoman in the main town, Goma. | |
| Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda last week declared a ceasefire, as his forces approached Goma. | Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda last week declared a ceasefire, as his forces approached Goma. |
| The BBC's Peter Greste in the town says the clashes are worrying but do not necessarily mean the ceasefire is over. | The BBC's Peter Greste in the town says the clashes are worrying but do not necessarily mean the ceasefire is over. |
| Goma is surrounded by rebel forces, which have routed government forces. | Goma is surrounded by rebel forces, which have routed government forces. |
| Some 250,000 people have fled their homes and aid agencies are struggling to help them. | Some 250,000 people have fled their homes and aid agencies are struggling to help them. |
| Some fled the countryside for Goma but others have since returned, as there is not enough food or shelter for them. | Some fled the countryside for Goma but others have since returned, as there is not enough food or shelter for them. |
| Earlier, the French foreign minister called for the mandate of the 17,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in DR Congo to be strengthened. | Earlier, the French foreign minister called for the mandate of the 17,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in DR Congo to be strengthened. |
| UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy, visiting Goma, said the UN mandate was currently to "protect civilians and to support the army in disarming rebel forces". | UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy, visiting Goma, said the UN mandate was currently to "protect civilians and to support the army in disarming rebel forces". |
| "Our mandate is not to defend cities," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "Our mandate is not to defend cities," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
| On Monday, a first UN convoy carrying medical supplies was given safe passage into rebel-held territory, where aid agencies have described the humanitarian situation as dire. | On Monday, a first UN convoy carrying medical supplies was given safe passage into rebel-held territory, where aid agencies have described the humanitarian situation as dire. |