Clinton Urges End of Support for Congo Rebels

Nearly 300,000 have fled their homes

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday called on all regional African leaders to halt any support for the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Highlighting that 285,000 people have fled their homes since the rebels began their advance in eastern DR Congo in April and many were in "critical need," Clinton urged the rebels to cease attacks and withdraw from Goma.

"We call on leaders and governments from throughout the region to halt and prevent any support to the M23 from their territory," Clinton said, in some of her toughest comments yet on the crisis stalking the Great Lakes region.