Civilians attack 4 UN offices in eastern Congo

Thousands of civilians threw rocks at four United Nations offices in eastern Congo on Monday, venting outrage at the organization’s inability to protect them from rebel forces advancing on the provincial capital of Goma.

Peacekeepers opened fire at one downtown office and people may have been injured, a U.N. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

People in eastern Congo are angry that a 17,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force has been unable to protect them from a rebel attack just 25 miles north of the city. Tens of thousands of civilians have abandoned their homes.