Congo (DRC)

The top UN envoy to the Congo (DRC) expressed hope Nov. 18 that the UN Security Council will shortly approve a request for 3,000 additional troops to buttress blue helmets already on the ground in the country's east, the scene of fierce recent conflict. Currently, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, known as MONUC, has nearly 6,000 troops in North Kivu province, which has been wracked by fighting between Government forces and rebel militias. Meanwhile, as no major ceasefire violations or attacks on civilians and property were reported as of Nov. 14, humanitarian agencies forged ahead with delivering vital assistance. (UN News Service)