Rebel general in DR Congo says it's war

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The United Nations is investigating a rebel general's claim in Democratic Republic of Congo his forces are once again at war with the government.

Laurent Nkunda told the Arabic al-Jazeera network Joseph Kabila's government troops had left him no option but to declare war and warned of genocide in the eastern part of the country.

"We are surrounded by government forces and they launched an attack three days ago," Nkunda said. "The government has chosen the way to fight and not the way of peace talks."

The United Nations reportedly dispatched 200 soldiers to the region to investigate, as thousands of people have reportedly fled the area, the report said.

Nkunda is wanted by the United Nations for alleged war crimes related to 2004 attacks, when he led some 4,000 Tutsi soldiers into fighting with Rwandan Hutus.