UN Authorizes Intervention for Congo Conflict

Will take military action against rebels

The U.N. Security Council authorized a new "intervention brigade" for Congo on Thursday with an unprecedented mandate to take military action against rebel groups to help bring peace to the country's conflict-wracked east.

The resolution, which the council adopted unanimously, gives the brigade a mandate to carry out offensive operations alone or with Congolese army troops to neutralize and disarm armed groups.

The intervention brigade is unprecedented in U.N. peacekeeping because of its offensive mandate.