U.N. investigates child prostitution claim

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Child prostitutes in the Democratic Republic of Congo say their customers have included U.N. peacekeepers.

The United Nations banned members of the peacekeeping force from sexual relations with local residents after an investigation last year found some soldiers had had sex with girls as young as 13, the BBC reports.

A child prostitution ring in South Kivu Province in the eastern part of the country is now under investigation. The girls have reportedly said peacekeepers are among their clientele, although most customers are civilians or members of the DRC Army.

The 17,000 U.N. troops in the country for last month's election are the organization's largest peacekeeping force.