Congo rebels push towards Bukavu

The clashes are delaying the creation of a new army

Dissident soldiers are reported to be just 16km from the town of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after another day of fighting.

A new ceasefire has been agreed with the Congolese army, but a rebel leader, General Laurent Nkunda, told the BBC he would send his forces into Bukavu.

General Nkunda said he wanted to prevent a "genocide" against his ethnic group, the Banyamulenge.

His troops are from an ex-rebel group who are being integrated into the army.

A week of clashes has left at least 27 people dead and correspondents say the violence jeopardises the fragile peace process.

'Genocide'

Regional army commander Gen Mbuza Mabe had said his troops would not launch any new attacks while the United Nations peacekeeping mission continued its mediation efforts.

But he said a general ceasefire could only be agreed if the dissident forces withdrew from the area.

Bukavu unrest in pictures

A senior government delegation is due in Bukavu, led by former rebel commander Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa.

Sporadic clashes continued on Monday night despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by the dissident force.

General Nkunda said he had told his men to stop their advance to let Mr Ruberwa visit the town to investigate the grievances of the Banyamulenge, who are ethnic Tutsis.

General Nkunda was leading reinforcements to back up Colonel Jules Mutebusi, a Banyamulenge commander who has been clashing with the army in Bukavu.

Thousands flee

In the town itself, the peacekeepers have enforced an ultimatum banning supporters of Colonel Mutebusi from carrying weapons.

UN peacekeepers have been patrolling Bukavu

The renegade commander has been suspended from his post in the national army because of the fighting.

Under a peace deal agreed last year, all the Congolese warring factions were supposed to unite as a single army, but progress has been slow.

The deal ended five years of war, which dragged in at least six other countries.

Thousands of people have fled into neighbouring Rwanda.

The UN has accused Colonel Mutebusi's troops of looting and raping civilians.