The United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monuc) says it will "provide fire support" to the army offensive against rebels. A long-threatened DRC offensive against rebel leader Laurent Nkunda began on Monday with the army retaking several rebel-held villages in the east. The army has been shelling Mushake, a rebel town 40km north-west of Goma, all day and is moving up reinforcements. Up to now, the UN has restricted itself to offering only logistical support. Monuc spokesman Kamal Saiki told the BBC's Focus on Africa that the UN was now ready to "provide fire support, including artillery and close air support" as a last resort. He said this would mean UN soldiers firing against the rebels - "guns in the field crewed by UN soldiers".
The 15,000 UN soldiers in DR Congo are tasked with securing peace after a five-year conflict officially ended in 2002. But Mr Saiki said the Monuc mandate included supporting the legal authorities "with all necessary measures against any attempt by illegal armed groups to jeopardise the political process".