The Council met on Tuesday for the second time in three days to discuss the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as M23 forces supported by Rwanda advance towards

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame said he agreed with the U.S. government on the need for a ceasefire in eastern Congo but gave no indication of bowing to calls for Rwandan troops and the M23 rebels they support to withdraw from Goma.

France and Britain have called on Rwanda to address accusations of supporting the M23 rebels in recent conflicts near Goma, in eastern Congo. At a U.N. Security Council meeting, both countries urged Rwanda to withdraw its troops from Congo territory amid escalating tensions.

M23's last occupation of Goma was short-lived, and within a year they were a defeated force. This time, things are different.

A total of 288 European mercenaries who had been fighting alongside the Congolese army coalition (FARDC) arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday afternoon.

Rwanda-backed rebels have entered the outskirts of eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, causing what the United Nations called “mass panic” among its 2 million people and leading Congo’s government to call it a “declaration of war.

Congolese security forces have tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo’s largest city

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.

Amid escalating tensions in East Africa and the Middle East, Rwanda and Israel have reaffirmed their strategic alliance, highlighting the importance of diplomatic partnerships in countering shared security threats.

KINSHASA/PARIS - 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.