Gunfire crackles in Goma, embassies attacked

GOMA: Dead bodies lay in the streets, gunfire rang out and hospitals were overwhelmed in east Congo's largest city Goma where M23 fighters backed by Rwanda faced pockets of resistance on Tuesday from army and pro-government groups. Protesters in the capital attacked a UN compound and embassies including those of Rwanda, France and the United States, expressing anger at what they said was foreign interference. Goma is a major hub for people displaced by fighting elsewhere in eastern Congo and aid groups seeking to assist them. Now the fighting has sent thousands of people streaming out of the city - some had recently sought refuge there from M23's offensive since the start of the year.

Democratic Republic of Congo's government and the head of UN peacekeeping have said Rwandan troops were present in Goma, backing up their M23 allies. Goma residents and UN sources said dozens of troops had surrendered, but some soldiers and pro-government militiamen were holding out. People in several neighbourhoods reported small arms fire and some loud explosions. — Reuters