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DR Congo army pushes rebels back DR Congo army pushes rebels back
(about 2 hours later)
Government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have pushed rebels back 5km (three miles) at the frontline north of the eastern city of Goma.Government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have pushed rebels back 5km (three miles) at the frontline north of the eastern city of Goma.
The BBC's Mark Doyle says the two sides are now separated by a dormant lava field created by a nearby volcano.The BBC's Mark Doyle says the two sides are now separated by a dormant lava field created by a nearby volcano.
In Goma, hundreds of women are expected to join a protest shortly to demand peace and protection for the region.In Goma, hundreds of women are expected to join a protest shortly to demand peace and protection for the region.
Aid workers have warned that thousands of people at a camp near Goma should be moved in case fighting breaks out.Aid workers have warned that thousands of people at a camp near Goma should be moved in case fighting breaks out.
More than 60,000 displaced people are at the Kibati camp, close to the frontline separating government troops and rebels loyal to Gen Laurent Nkunda. name="text"> class="bodl" href="#infographic">See detailed map of the area More than 60,000 displaced people are at the Kibati camp, close to the frontline separating government troops and rebels loyal to Gen Laurent Nkunda.
name="text"> class="bodl" href="#infographic">See detailed map of the area They are among 250,000 who have fled the violence which flared in August. They are among 250,000 who have fled the violence which flared in August.
Fighting has stopped aid from reaching Kibati and forced many there to flee south to the provincial capital, Goma. FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6,000-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7725344.stm">Impossible task for UN Fighting has stopped aid from reaching Kibati and forced many there to flee south to the provincial capital, Goma.
Our correspondent says the frontline is now just beyond two strategic hills, on top of which government forces have placed spotters and artillery.Our correspondent says the frontline is now just beyond two strategic hills, on top of which government forces have placed spotters and artillery.
FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6,000-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts
The distance between the nearest opposing troops is just a few hundred metres, he says.The distance between the nearest opposing troops is just a few hundred metres, he says.
On the rebel side of the line he saw rebel soldiers consolidating their own, high, ground - more hills from which they could target the government forces on the road below.On the rebel side of the line he saw rebel soldiers consolidating their own, high, ground - more hills from which they could target the government forces on the road below.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in DR Congo wants the two sides to move further apart to minimise the possibility of accidental clashes which could exacerbate the already disastrous humanitarian situation.The United Nations peacekeeping force in DR Congo wants the two sides to move further apart to minimise the possibility of accidental clashes which could exacerbate the already disastrous humanitarian situation.
There are moves internationally to bolster the peacekeeping presence in DR Congo - at the moment it stands at 17,000 - the world's largest peace mission. In other developments:
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  • The EU is to discuss sending aid and how to bolster the UN force
  • The US and UK have urged the UN Security Council to approve a request from the UN for 3,000 extra troops
The EU is to consider ways of strengthening the force at a meeting where mounting a humanitarian aid mission to DR Congo is also to be considered, France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.
  • UN envoy, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, is to hold talks in the capital, Kinshasa, before going to Goma at the weekend
  • He will be joined by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and an unnamed Southern African leader in a bid to prevent the conflict escalating.
    • While the US and UK have urged the UN Security Council to approve a request from the UN for 3,000 extra troops. There have been reports - all denied - that troops from Rwanda, Angola and Zimbabwe are in DR Congo, fighting on opposing sides, as they did in the conflict which officially ended in 2003.
    UN troops have reinforced their positions in Goma and say they will prevent the rebels from taking the city, as they have threatened.UN troops have reinforced their positions in Goma and say they will prevent the rebels from taking the city, as they have threatened.
    LootingLooting
    On Thursday, Gen Nkunda's rebels - who are demanding protection from Rwandan Hutu rebels who fled to DR Congo after Rwanda's 1994 genocide - told the AFP news agency they had advanced to the outskirts of the strategic town of Kanyabayonga, 100km (60 miles) north of Goma.On Thursday, Gen Nkunda's rebels - who are demanding protection from Rwandan Hutu rebels who fled to DR Congo after Rwanda's 1994 genocide - told the AFP news agency they had advanced to the outskirts of the strategic town of Kanyabayonga, 100km (60 miles) north of Goma.
    ICRC coordinator Ian Byram on the continuing aid relief in Kibati
    Government forces were accused of looting and raping civilians there earlier in the week.Government forces were accused of looting and raping civilians there earlier in the week.
    The UN has accused both sides of war crimes during the latest upsurge in violence.The UN has accused both sides of war crimes during the latest upsurge in violence.
    On Friday, women dressed in black are expected to gather at a sports stadium in Goma housing thousands of people who have fled the fighting.On Friday, women dressed in black are expected to gather at a sports stadium in Goma housing thousands of people who have fled the fighting.
    A spokesman for the charity ActionAid told the BBC cases of rape and violence against women have risen dramatically since the latest fighting broke out.A spokesman for the charity ActionAid told the BBC cases of rape and violence against women have risen dramatically since the latest fighting broke out.
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