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Truce to end fighting in DR Congo Truce to end fighting in DR Congo
(30 minutes later)
The army and rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed a ceasefire in the town at the heart of recent fighting, the UN says.The army and rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed a ceasefire in the town at the heart of recent fighting, the UN says.
The clashes around the eastern town of Sake had raised fears of a return to conflict in DR Congo, emerging from a five-year war.The clashes around the eastern town of Sake had raised fears of a return to conflict in DR Congo, emerging from a five-year war.
UN peacekeepers say they are to take control of the town, which lies on the road to the North Kivu capital, Goma.UN peacekeepers say they are to take control of the town, which lies on the road to the North Kivu capital, Goma.
Some 200,000 people have fled fighting in the region this year, the UN says.Some 200,000 people have fled fighting in the region this year, the UN says.
"[Rebel General Laurent] Nkunda's men, who tried to take Sake this morning, have agreed to withdraw into the hills," said Sylvie Van Den Wildenberg, UN spokeswoman in North Kivu."[Rebel General Laurent] Nkunda's men, who tried to take Sake this morning, have agreed to withdraw into the hills," said Sylvie Van Den Wildenberg, UN spokeswoman in North Kivu.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Sake says there is a continuous stream of people leaving the town, carrying goods on their heads and young children in their arms. The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Sake, some 30km from Goma, says there is a continuous stream of people leaving the town, carrying goods on their heads and young children in their arms.
Helicopter gunshipHelicopter gunship
UN emergency relief chief John Holmes has described the humanitarian situation in the region as deplorable.UN emergency relief chief John Holmes has described the humanitarian situation in the region as deplorable.
Mr Holmes said fighting was confined to parts of the single province of North Kivu, but warned the crisis might worsen in a large country like DR Congo - the size of western Europe.Mr Holmes said fighting was confined to parts of the single province of North Kivu, but warned the crisis might worsen in a large country like DR Congo - the size of western Europe.
"If the fighting gets worse, what we really fear is another big wave of displacement and possibly the kind of atrocities that have gone with that in the past," Mr Holmes added."If the fighting gets worse, what we really fear is another big wave of displacement and possibly the kind of atrocities that have gone with that in the past," Mr Holmes added.
Some four million people are believed to have died during DR Congo's five-year conflict, which officially ended in 2002.Some four million people are believed to have died during DR Congo's five-year conflict, which officially ended in 2002.
Earlier, our correspondent in North Kivu said forces loyal to rebel General Laurent Nkunda government troops were surrounded in Katale, where the latest fighting began last week.Earlier, our correspondent in North Kivu said forces loyal to rebel General Laurent Nkunda government troops were surrounded in Katale, where the latest fighting began last week.
The army is using an attack helicopter against the rebels - the first time the government has used these in DR Congo, our correspondent says.The army is using an attack helicopter against the rebels - the first time the government has used these in DR Congo, our correspondent says.
Extra troops were being sent to the region to help the army fight rebels led by a renegade general.Extra troops were being sent to the region to help the army fight rebels led by a renegade general.
Rwandan warningRwandan warning
On Wednesday, some people attacked vehicles belonging to the UN Mission in Congo (Monuc) in Sake, accusing them of siding with the rebels.On Wednesday, some people attacked vehicles belonging to the UN Mission in Congo (Monuc) in Sake, accusing them of siding with the rebels.
The UN has some 17,000 peacekeepers in DR Congo - the largest such force in the world.The UN has some 17,000 peacekeepers in DR Congo - the largest such force in the world.
Profile: Gen Nkunda In other parts of North Kivu, men loyal to Gen Nkunda have pulled out of villages near the Rwandan border, and were replaced by ethnic Hutu Rwandan rebels.Profile: Gen Nkunda In other parts of North Kivu, men loyal to Gen Nkunda have pulled out of villages near the Rwandan border, and were replaced by ethnic Hutu Rwandan rebels.
Ethnic tension following the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda lies at the heart of the fighting.Ethnic tension following the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda lies at the heart of the fighting.
Gen Nkunda says he is protecting Congolese Tutsis from the forces who carried out the genocide and then crossed the border.Gen Nkunda says he is protecting Congolese Tutsis from the forces who carried out the genocide and then crossed the border.
Rwanda has twice invaded DR Congo, saying it wants to stop attacks by Hutu rebels and our correspondent says the news that these militias have moved into villages on its border could antagonise Rwanda.Rwanda has twice invaded DR Congo, saying it wants to stop attacks by Hutu rebels and our correspondent says the news that these militias have moved into villages on its border could antagonise Rwanda.
In the Rwandan capital, Kigali, Foreign Minister Charles Murigande said his government was ready to mediate between the two forces but also issued a warning.In the Rwandan capital, Kigali, Foreign Minister Charles Murigande said his government was ready to mediate between the two forces but also issued a warning.
"Rwanda will be extremely concerned if the genocidal militants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) profit from this unrest to use their military force against our government," he said, according to the AFP news agency."Rwanda will be extremely concerned if the genocidal militants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) profit from this unrest to use their military force against our government," he said, according to the AFP news agency.
"We will take whatever measures are necessary to dissuade whoever threatens the integrity of Rwanda.""We will take whatever measures are necessary to dissuade whoever threatens the integrity of Rwanda."
Elections last year, won by President Joseph Kabila, were supposed to draw a line under years of conflict in DR Congo.Elections last year, won by President Joseph Kabila, were supposed to draw a line under years of conflict in DR Congo.