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UN battles dissidents in DR Congo UN repels dissidents in DR Congo
(about 3 hours later)
A UN helicopter gunship has fired on troops loyal to a dissident general to halt their advance towards Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. United Nations peacekeepers are back in control of the town of Sake in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after heavy clashes with dissidents.
Earlier the followers of renegade Gen Laurent Nkunda took control of parts of Sake, close to the Rwandan border, after attacking army positions. A UN spokesman told the BBC that the UN sent in troops and attack helicopters and pushed back soldiers loyal to dissident general Laurent Nkunda.
A rebel advance on the regional capital, Goma, was also halted. There were no casualties among UN troops.
The clashes are the most serious in the east since elections earlier this year.
Thousands of civilians fled their homes in the town. Casualties are unclear.Thousands of civilians fled their homes in the town. Casualties are unclear.
The clashes are the most serious in the east since DR Congo's first elections were held earlier this year.
Tension is already high in the capital, Kinshasa, where the Supreme Court is due to deliver its verdict on the legal challenge to last month's presidential run-off election brought by the former rebel leader and current Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba.Tension is already high in the capital, Kinshasa, where the Supreme Court is due to deliver its verdict on the legal challenge to last month's presidential run-off election brought by the former rebel leader and current Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba.
In his appeal, Mr Bemba said the results that gave victory to President Joseph Kabila did not reflect the reality at the ballot box.In his appeal, Mr Bemba said the results that gave victory to President Joseph Kabila did not reflect the reality at the ballot box.
Rebels 'repulsed'Rebels 'repulsed'
United Nations forces said their helicopters and peacekeepers opened fire against the dissidents after being attacked in and around the volatile eastern town of Sake. United Nations forces said their helicopters and ground troops opened fire against the dissidents after being attacked in and around the volatile eastern town of Sake - which is permissible under their mandate.
"Monuc troops were threatened by effective fire by 81st and 83rd brigades," said Monuc military spokesman Major Ajay Dalal. "Our troops were fired upon and they returned the fire," said Monuc spokesman Kemal Saiki told the BBC's Focus on Africa.
"Attack helicopters fired on 81st and 83rd soldiers [dissidents loyal to Gen Nkunda] in Sake and a few kilometres east in Kasingazi "Our forces are controlling Sake and the Congolese armed forces have been able to regain the hills around Sake. The troops that tried to move to Goma have been stopped in their tracks but there is still occasional sporadic firing," he said
"Ground troops have also opened fire on both fronts."
At least eight soldiers are reported to have been killed in the attacks by the dissidents on Sake and eight rebels killed.At least eight soldiers are reported to have been killed in the attacks by the dissidents on Sake and eight rebels killed.
The dissident troops used machine-guns, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.The dissident troops used machine-guns, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
Sake is a small town about 25km (15 miles) west of the provincial capital of Goma.Sake is a small town about 25km (15 miles) west of the provincial capital of Goma.
Mr Nkunda left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after DR Congo's war ended, saying that the country's transition to democracy was flawed and had excluded the minority Tutsi community.Mr Nkunda left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after DR Congo's war ended, saying that the country's transition to democracy was flawed and had excluded the minority Tutsi community.