UN helicopters fire rockets, cannons at DR Congo rebels

UN attack helicopters fired cannons and rockets at rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo but could not stop an advance on the key city of Goma, a UN peacekeeping spokesman said.

The M23 rebels are now near Goma airport, spokesman Kieran Dwyer told AFP. UN forces have supported DR Congo troops in the region "including carrying out sorties and firing from four attack helicopter missions that have fired rockets and cannon rounds," he said.