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.

France expresses its solidarity regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo and condemns actions by Rwanda in the country, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.

France is pursuing a diplomatic solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have seized the city of Goma. France emphasizes the importance of ending the conflict swiftly and is considering diplomatic measures over sanctions against Rwanda.

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

Fleeing prisoners streamed from the torched jail as Rwanda-backed rebels claim they have captured the strategic city

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.

Rioters stormed embassies and started fires in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, drawing tear gas from police, in an eruption of protests over a Rwandan-backed rebel offensive in the east.

Congolese rebels and allied Rwandan troops claimed on Monday to have captured the mineral-rich city of Goma, as thousands fled fighting that killed at least 13 peacekeepers over the weekend...

France Condemns Rwanda's Action in Democratic Republic of Congo PARIS (Reuters) - France expresses its solidarity regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo and condemns actions by Rwanda in the ...

The M23 group is one of about 100 armed factions vying for a foothold in eastern Congo, where a decades-long conflict has raged. The group, made up primarily of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army,