The UN Security Council has demanded that the M-23 rebel forces stop their ongoing offensive on Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the immediate withdrawal of "external forces" from the region, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
"The Security Council members are also deeply concerned by the ongoing cases of jamming and confusion of GPS (global positioning systems - BTA note) in support of M-23 operations in North Kivu, which pose an immediate risk to the safety of civil aviation and have a negative impact on the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in need" the council said in a statement.
Earlier, Rwandan-backed rebels said they had captured eastern Congo's largest city, Goma, early this morning. The UN reported "mass panic" among the population of two million, and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has called the rebel offensive a "declaration of war", the Associated Press notes.
The M-23 rebels announced the capture of the city in a statement minutes before the group's 48-hour deadline for the Congolese army to hand over its weapons expired.
In their statement, the rebels called on Goma residents to remain calm and for members of the Congolese army to gather at the central stadium.
The M-23 rebel offensive in the heart of the mineral-rich region threatens to dramatically worsen one of Africa's longest wars and lead to further displacement of civilians. According to a UN report, more than a third of the population of North Kivu province, where Goma is located, is currently displaced and the capture of Goma is likely to worsen the situation.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya made a statement in a video posted on "Ex" in which he called for the protection of civilians and said that the country was "in a situation of war" and stressed that the situation was changing dynamically.
Late on Saturday, Congo broke off relations with Rwanda, which denies supporting M23 despite evidence gathered by UN experts, the AP notes.