The rebels have been advancing through eastern DR Congo since January, seizing Bukavu and Goma, the biggest city in the region. The fighting has forced about 500,000 people from their homes, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.

Democratic Republic of Congo's government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels traded blame on Friday for explosions at a rally in the rebel-held eastern city of Bukavu that killed 13 people and wounded scores.

(Reuters) - Explosions at a rally held by M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Bukavu killed 11 people and wounded 65 others, Corneille Nangaa, head of the rebel alliance that includes M23, said in a press conference on Thursday.