Congolese forces were losing control of the key city of Gom a on Wednesday after rebel groups backed by Rwanda took over the airport and shared plans to set up a new administration. Soldiers fighting for Congo - many of them mercenaries from other nations - were laying down their weapons at the border with Rwanda.

Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo's largest city, as U.N. officials reported violence,