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12 die in Congo's weekend combat

Sapa-AP

10 oct. 06 - 14.13h

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Monday October 09, 2006 06:22 - (SA)

KINSHASA – Government troops backed by UN helicopters and armoured vehicles battled militia fighters in the DRC’s restive northeast, leaving two UN peacekeepers wounded and at least a dozen militants dead, officials said yesterday.

General Mbuayama Nsiona said the fighting, which took place on Saturday south of Bunia, the capital of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was between soldiers and members of the Ituri Patriotic Resistance Front. He said at least 12 militants were killed and two UN force members were injured in the fighting.

Leocadio Salmeron, a UN spokesman, said a UN rapid-reaction force in helicopters and armoured vehicles responded in support of the government troops.

Congo’s eastern Ituri region has remained restive as the country moves toward democracy and peace. A first-round of presidential elections was held in July and the second round is set for the end of this month. The country has been under a transitional government since its civil war ended in 2002.

– Sapa-AP
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