UN attack helicopters hit rebels in eastern Congo

United Nations attack helicopters hit rebels positions in eastern Congo on Saturday after insurgents gained ground in heavy fighting, the UN said. The clashes to the south of the town Kibumba mean the rebels have got to within 30 km (18 miles) of Goma, the closest they have been to North Kivu's provincial capital since a rebellion began there eight months ago.
North Kivu governor Julien Paluku said the army retreated to the southern outskirts of the town after M23 rebels received support from neighbouring Rwanda. Rwanda rejected the accusations, the latest in a string of charges by Kinshasa, and called on both the army and the rebels to halt the fighting as shells were landing in its territory.
More than five million people are estimated to have died from violence, hunger and disease in wars in Congo since 1998. It is the deadliest conflict since World War Two. United Nations experts say they have evidence of Rwanda's rebel support and want the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Rwandan officials as a result.