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KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - The commander of the U.N. peacekeepers in Congo called a news conference to warn the FDLR rebels still ensconced in the country's eastern jungles to put down their arms, or else face an operation to dislodge them.
Lt. Gen. Carlos dos Santos Cruz said the FDLR "has one last opportunity to turn themselves in, and if not we will remove them."
The U.N., which for years was criticized for doing too little to end the conflict, has been buoyed by its success against the M23 rebels, who last year invaded an important towns in eastern Congo. The U.N. came under fire after peacekeepers were photographed doing nothing as the rebels marched in. A new Security Council mandate has now given them the right to combat the rebels.
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