The Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed the creation of a special force by the UN, which will be deployed to attack rebels in the country’s east.
Lambert Mende, a spokesperson for the government told the BBC that around 2,000 soldiers would form the force and would "bring some hope of peace".
"We think that every problem we have had there was coming from that border. So to monitor that border - secure it - will really enhance our capacity to deal with the rogue elements within our territory when we are sure that they are not going to receive any assistance from outside,” he said.
The UN already has around 20,000 troops in the country, but this is the first time any UN peacekeeping force has been given such a wide mandate to go on the offensive and neutralise rebels.
The UN Security Council resolution says the new Intervention Brigade will "carry out targeted offensive operations" to "neutralise" armed groups from July and reports indicate that the troops will include personnel from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi.
The resolution also said that the decision was taken "on an exceptional basis, and without creating a precedent or any prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping", according to Reuters.
