U.N. urges end to new DRC fighting

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The United Nations Security Council this weekend issued a condemnation of a series of guerrilla attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The council met in emergency session Saturday to discuss the offensive by the rebel group M23, which resulted in helicopters from the U.N. peacekeeping force in the African nation being dispatched to aide government troops.

The council met behind closed doors and released a statement expressing concern for the deteriorating situation and calling for a cease-fire.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemn the resumption of attacks by the M23 and demand their immediate cessation," said the statement from Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri.

The M23, which the United Nations said included a large number of DRC soldiers who mutinied, raided three areas in North Kivu province this weekend and caused around 4,000 civilians to seek shelter at a U.N. refugee camp.