Taking the fight to rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Taking the fight to rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Congolese government forces aided by UN peacekeepers move in on rebels in the eastern part of the country.

Rebels had hoped to advance to the capital of North Kivu Province, but their imminent move on Goma seems to have been halted.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) FARDC SPOKESMAN, OLIVIER AMULI, SAYING:

''The enemy has been pushed back and has had huge losses. There is still some fighting going on. The republican forces are doing a great job. They are trying to protect civilians who are the most vulnerable in such times.''

A rebellion launched in April has already forced some 260,000 people to flee their homes. U.N. experts have said neighboring Rwanda is backing the rebels, prompting the US to cut some military aid.

Rwanda denies it is supporting the rebels.

Leaders from Africa's Great Lakes region plan to send a "neutral force" to Congo to end cycles of violence -- though no details have emerged on where the troops will come from or when they will be deployed.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.