UN peacekeepers locked in 'intense' fighting against M23 rebels in DRC

The United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) said that its peacekeepers are "engaged" in "intense" fighting against M23 rebels, who have almost encircled the main city in the country's east. MONUSCO's Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) have "been actively engaged in intense combat," the UN said in a statement on Friday, adding that "over the past 48 hours, MONUSCO heavy artillery fire carried out fire missions against M23 positions".