The rebels continued advances in eastern Congo despite their own announcement of a cease-fire. The U.N. secretary-general called for them to lay down their guns and agree to mediation.

DR Congo requested the urgent meeting of the UN's top rights body to discuss escalating fighting by Rwanda-backed armed group M23 in North and South Kivu provinces, and drew up a draft resolution that would set up the probe.

(Reuters) -Rwandan-backed M23 rebels asserted their control over east Congo's largest city Goma on Thursday by calling on residents to resume normal life, even as the group clashed with Congolese troops as they tried to take more territory.