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16:07 GMT, Friday, 31 October 2008

In pictures: Congo crisis

Displaced people just north of Goma 31 October 2008

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The United Nations refugee agency says it has credible reports that camps for displaced people in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been forcibly emptied, looted and burned.

A rebel fighter in Kibumba, north of Goma, on 31 October 2008

A rebel fighter in Kibumba, north of Goma, on 31 October 2008

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The camps, housing more than 50,000 people, are in an area now controlled by rebels following their advance towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

Congolese displaced people leave Goma for a refugee camp in Kibati, north of Goma, on 31 October 2008

Congolese displaced people leave Goma for a refugee camp in Kibati, north of Goma, on 31 October 2008

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In total, aid groups say they are struggling to reach about 250,000 people fleeing fierce fighting between government and rebel forces. The Congolese government has refused to negotiate with the rebels.

Displaced people walk past spent ammunition near Kibumba on 31 October 2008

Displaced people walk past spent ammunition near Kibumba on 31 October 2008

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Forces loyal to rebel general Laurent Nkunda say they are protecting the Tutsi minority. An acute lack of food and water in Goma has led thousands of people who had sought refuge there to flee north.

A man cycles next to the corpse of a Congolese soldier near Kibumba on 31 October 2008

A man cycles next to the corpse of a Congolese soldier near Kibumba on 31 October 2008

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Fighting between the two sides resumed in August after a peace deal collapsed. Human rights monitors have accused government troops of raping and murdering civilians in Goma.

A UN armoured vehicle patrols a street in Goma on 31 October 2008

A UN armoured vehicle patrols a street in Goma on 31 October 2008

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The UN has the world's biggest peacekeeping force, 17,000-strong, in DR Congo, which is about the size of western Europe, but only 6,000 troops are in the east because of unrest in other provinces.

A UN soldier patrols a street in Goma on 31 October 2008

A UN soldier patrols a street in Goma on 31 October 2008

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Overstretched UN troops can only hope a tense ceasefire holds in and around Goma, but aid agency chiefs say the situation remains highly volatile.

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UN joins battle with Congo rebels (27 Oct 08 | Africa )