GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Congolese rebels said on Sunday they had taken Goma, the biggest city in the east of the mineral-rich country, after a lightning advance that has forced thousands of people to flee and fuelled concerns of a regional war.

The United Nations Security Council on Sunday demanded that M23 rebel forces stop an ongoing offensive and advance towards Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and that "external forces" in the region immediately withdraw.

The M23 group has accused the government of Congo of not living up to the peace deal and fully integrating Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration.

Advances being made by the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo are "heightening the threat of a regional war," according to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing it of fuelling the rebellion.

Fighting has escalated sharply in recent weeks in eastern Congo, where rebels have seized key towns and are closing in on the city of Goma, the government’s last stronghold in the North Kivu province,

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing it of fuelling the rebellion. At least 13 soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC have been killed in clashes with M23 rebels,

Gunshots rang out Sunday night in the centre of the besieged Congolese city of Goma, AFP journalists heard, after the Democratic Republic of Congo accused Rwanda of sending fresh troops

In a tit-for-tat action, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are recalling diplomats from each other's capitals. The actions come amid intense fighting between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed fighters in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,

In a tit-for-tat action, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are recalling diplomats from each other's capitals. The actions come amid intense fighting between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed fighters in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,

M23 rebels claim they have taken control of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN has condemned 'flagrant disregard' for the DRC's sovereignty. DW has more.