France's foreign minister was due in Rwanda on Thursday after talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of efforts to prevent a regional escalation following the capture of the eastern Congolese city of Goma by M23 rebels and Rwandan troops.

In 2012, when M23 rebels appeared poised to seize control of a major city in eastern Congo, western countries suspended aid to put pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its support

France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, undertakes a diplomatic mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The mission aims to de-escalate tensions following the M23 rebels' advance into Goma.

A conflict that has raged for decades reached a flashpoint this week when rebels backed by Rwanda marched on a key Congolese city in a bid to occupy territory and exploit minerals.

French forces have withdrawn from Chad after 65 years, although France maintains that military cooperation will continue. French forces have left Chad after 65 years of almost continuous presence in the West African country.

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.

Rebels seized the airport of east Congo's largest city, Goma, on Tuesday, potentially cutting off the main route for aid to reach hundreds of thousands of displaced people, after capturing the city in an offensive that left dead bodies lying in the streets.

M23 militia fighters, alongside Rwandan troops, are pushing into the eastern DR Congo city of Goma, capital of the mineral-rich North Kivu province.

Congolese troops with support from Burundi's army appeared on Friday to be holding back a push south by Rwandan-backed rebels seeking to expand their grip on eastern Congo in a weeks-old advance that has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.

Many blame the United States, France and other allies for allowing neighboring Rwanda to fuel a conflict in the country’s east. By Elian Peltier and Justin Makangara Reporting from Dakar ...

President Paul Kagame has met with top diplomats from France and Qatar to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss regional stability. During a meeting at Urugwiro Village, President Kagame received French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs,