Prometheus 6

Congo rebels attack government forces in east
Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:52 AM ET

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Fighters loyal to a dissident general attacked army positions in eastern Congo with heavy weapons and small arms on Saturday, said the government and the United Nations.

The attack, after months of relative calm in Congo's east, occurred amid tensions in the capital Kinshasa where supporters of a former rebel chief are protesting against President Joseph Kabila's victory in last month's presidential run-off election.

"Our military positions in Sake have been coming under attack from (rebel general Laurent) Nkunda since early this morning. Our brigade there is fighting back," Congolese Interior Minister Denis Kalume told Reuters.