United Nations Radio

A fragile ceasefire in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has broken down, on the eve of a UN-backed summit to discuss the conflict in the country.

Rebels of Laurent Nkunda's National Congress for the Defence of the People, CNDP, have gained control of the town of Nyanzale, after clashes with Congolese government forces early Thursday.

MONUC, the UN mission in the DRC, has sent armored personnel carriers to the area to stop the fighting. But the ceasefire in Goma, some 80 kilometers or 50 miles south of Nyanzale is still holding, according to MONUC spokesperson, Madnoje Mounoubai. He said that Alain LeRoy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, said in Goma yesterday that MONUC was reinforcing its troops to protect the local population.

"Before leaving Goma he made a strong statement to the press regarding the rules of engagement of MONUC, that MONUC will defend the town if any armed groups intend to move towards Goma or try to take the town."

The 17,000-strong force has been stretched to the limit in recent weeks trying to carry out its mandate to protect civilians amid the violence. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he plans to sit down with Presidents Joseph Kabila of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda to "encourage them to find a path to peace".

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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