Congolese troops pushed back an attempted overnight advance by Rwanda-backed rebels on the eastern city of Goma, two Congolese army sources said on Saturday, after the sound of nearby heavy bombardment rocked the city in the early hours.

Laden with just the possessions they can carry, thousands of displaced people have reached the outskirts of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing a rapid M23 rebel advance that has taken more territory than ever before.

The Democratic Republic of Congo withdrew its diplomats from Kigali as the Rwanda-backed M23 fighters advanced on the key city of Goma in the east of the country.

A spokesman for the Democratic Republic of Congo's army said Saturday: "Rwanda is determined to seize the city of Goma" in the east of the country.

The United Nations announced that it has temporarily decided to relocate non-essential staff from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), due to the deteriorating security situation.

The DR Congo army and M23 fighters clashed outside Goma on Friday as the UK, United States and France urged citizens to leave the main city in the country's volatile east, warning the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

Nine UN peacekeepers were injured in clashes with the advancing M23 rebel group near Goma, eastern Congo. M23 has encircled Goma, a major hub, intensifying the regional conflict. Accusations of Rwandan backing for M23 persist amid a severe humanitarian crisis impacting over 400,

Panic is spreading in Goma in eastern Congo as M23 rebels encircle the city, battling Congo’s army. Many civilians have been wounded in the crossfire, stretching the main hospital.

Thousands of people have fled their homes in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as clashes between M23 rebels and government forces intensify. The Rwanda-backed armed group has captured a string of towns over the last few days,

Civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are at increasing risk as the abusive M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), approaches Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

Explosions rocked the ground in the main city in DR Congo's east on Friday as intensifying clashes between the country's army and M23 fighters gripped the region.