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Army 'seizes' DR Congo rebel base Army seizes DR Congo rebel base
(about 7 hours later)
The Democratic Republic of Congolese armed forces say they have taken control of the rebel headquarters in the eastern town of Mushake. The Democratic Republic of Congo armed forces say they have won a "great victory" and are now in full control of the eastern town of Mushake.
After a night-long barrage, the army overran Gen Laurent Nkunda's base, their field commander told the BBC. Army head Gen Dieudonne Kayembe said 50 rebels loyal to the rebel General Laurent Nkunda were killed for the loss of four of his own men.
He said fighting was continuing in the town, and that his men were also under fire from rebels, who had withdrawn into the nearby mountains. At a regional conference in Ethiopia, the US, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda promised to strengthen DR Congo's army.
UN peacekeepers supporting the government confirmed the army progress. They also pledged not to "harbour negative forces".
This is seen as reference to Gen Nkunda, who Rwanda is accused of backing. Rwanda denies the claims.
It also means the Rwandan Hutu rebels in eastern DR Congo, which are at the heart of the region's instability.
Gen Nkunda says he cannot disarm while they are around; Rwanda has twice invaded DR Congo to stop them staging attacks.
Behind Congo's war gamesProfile: Renegade general Recent fighting in eastern DR Congo has displaced some 200,000 people, the UN says.
Gen Kayembe said the 82nd brigade of the Congolese armed forces had also taken control of all the high ground around Mushake, which will give his men a strategic advantage as the town overlooks a key road in the region.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman entered the town with the victorious government forces, who were accused of going on a drunken looting spree after their victory.
The UN mission in DR Congo (Monuc) has been providing logistical support to the Congolese armed force (FARDC) and on Tuesday said that as a last resort it would also "provide fire support" against the rebels.The UN mission in DR Congo (Monuc) has been providing logistical support to the Congolese armed force (FARDC) and on Tuesday said that as a last resort it would also "provide fire support" against the rebels.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman, who is just a few kilometres from the front line, spoke to the FARDC field commander, Col Tshibangou, who said his men had taken Gen Nkunda's headquarters at 0600 local time (0400 GMT) but did not yet fully control the town.
The long-threatened offensive against Gen Nkunda began on Monday with the army retaking several rebel-held villages in the east.
Our correspondent says some villagers have already started to return to their homes.
He also says children from the nearby villages were helping to carry rockets for the Congolese army.
UN role
Monuc spokesman Kamal Saiki told the BBC's Focus on Africa on Tuesday that the UN was now ready to "provide fire support, including artillery and close air support" as a last resort.
He said this would mean UN soldiers firing against the rebels - "guns in the field crewed by UN soldiers".
Behind Congo's war gamesProfile: Renegade general
The 15,000 UN soldiers in DR Congo are tasked with securing peace after a five-year conflict officially ended in 2002.The 15,000 UN soldiers in DR Congo are tasked with securing peace after a five-year conflict officially ended in 2002.
But Mr Saiki said the Monuc mandate included supporting the legal authorities "with all necessary measures against any attempt by illegal armed groups to jeopardise the political process". But a Monuc spokesman said mandate included supporting the legal authorities "with all necessary measures against any attempt by illegal armed groups to jeopardise the political process".
Mushake overlooks a key road that links the regional capital, Goma, with valuable tin mines and rich farming land further west.
The small hillside town is a stronghold of the rebels and its buzzing market centre is inhabited mainly by Tutsi cattle farmers.
Gen Nkunda claims he is defending his Tutsi community against Rwandan Hutu rebels responsible for the Rwandan genocide in 1994, who have been active in the east of DR Congo ever since.
The government had repeatedly warned Gen Nkunda to stop his rebellion and integrate his men into the army.
There has been no word on casualties but our correspondent says he understands that 30 wounded government soldiers were taken to hospital on Tuesday.
At least 200,000 people have been displaced by the latest fighting in the area.