UN demands end of foreign support for Congo rebels

New York, 03 Aug – (ANA) - The U.N. Security Council yesterday demanded an end to foreign support for the M23 rebels fighting against the Kinshasa government in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a rebuke diplomats said was aimed at Rwanda and Uganda.

The 15-nation council issued a statement voicing its "strong condemnation of any and all outside support to the M23 and demand that all support to the M23, including from outside countries, cease immediately."

Earlier this week, U.N. Congo envoy Roger Meece told the council behind closed doors that M23 had gained ground in the east against the Congolese army, which has only limited capabilities to fight the small but capable rebel group, envoys said.

Congo's president, Joseph Kabila, said on Saturday his government had requested an explanation from Ugandan authorities after persistent rumours that its soldiers were backing the M23 group. The M23 rebellion takes its name from a 2009 peace accord the rebels say was violated by Kinshasa. (ANA)

FA/ANA/03 August 2012------------