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| Congo rebels clash with militia | Congo rebels clash with militia |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Rebel forces and local militia have clashed for a second day north of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, UN and militia sources say. | Rebel forces and local militia have clashed for a second day north of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, UN and militia sources say. |
| The fighting between rebels and pro-government militia including the Pareco Mai-Mai group was reported around Kiwanja in North Kivu province. | |
| Rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda declared a ceasefire last week, as his forces threatened Goma. | Rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda declared a ceasefire last week, as his forces threatened Goma. |
| More than 250,000 people have fled their homes amid the fighting. | More than 250,000 people have fled their homes amid the fighting. |
| The latest violence has hampered efforts by aid agencies to provide food and other relief. | The latest violence has hampered efforts by aid agencies to provide food and other relief. |
| The UN refugee agency says that three camps for displaced people near Rutshuru, also north of Goma, have been emptied and destroyed. | The UN refugee agency says that three camps for displaced people near Rutshuru, also north of Goma, have been emptied and destroyed. |
| The agency has said it was trying to establish the fate of about 50,000 people who had been sheltering in the area. | The agency has said it was trying to establish the fate of about 50,000 people who had been sheltering in the area. |
| Enlarge Map | Enlarge Map |
| Gen Nkunda has threatened to topple the DR Congo government in Kinshasa, 1,580km (980 miles) west of Goma, unless President Joseph Kabila agrees to hold direct talks. | Gen Nkunda has threatened to topple the DR Congo government in Kinshasa, 1,580km (980 miles) west of Goma, unless President Joseph Kabila agrees to hold direct talks. |
| But the BBC's Peter Greste in Goma says this could be hubris, as it is hard to see how he could transport his 6-7,000 fighters all the way across a country the size of western Europe. | But the BBC's Peter Greste in Goma says this could be hubris, as it is hard to see how he could transport his 6-7,000 fighters all the way across a country the size of western Europe. |
| The rebel forces do, however, appear to have the strength to take Goma, he said. | The rebel forces do, however, appear to have the strength to take Goma, he said. |
| Meanwhile, the head of the UN mission in Congo has urged Gen Nkunda not to carry out his threats. | Meanwhile, the head of the UN mission in Congo has urged Gen Nkunda not to carry out his threats. |
| "I hope General Nkunda doesn't attempt to do what he has talked about. It's not in his interests and it's certainly not in the interests of this country and the people of this country," Alan Doss told the BBC. | "I hope General Nkunda doesn't attempt to do what he has talked about. It's not in his interests and it's certainly not in the interests of this country and the people of this country," Alan Doss told the BBC. |
| "But, in case he doesn't, we have taken certain measures; we brought in some reinforcements and we will bring in more. | "But, in case he doesn't, we have taken certain measures; we brought in some reinforcements and we will bring in more. |
| "We will do our best to protect the people of Goma. We will certainly ensure that key institutions and installations are protected." | "We will do our best to protect the people of Goma. We will certainly ensure that key institutions and installations are protected." |
| Gen 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 Rwandan genocide in 1994. | Gen 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 Rwandan genocide in 1994. |