Britain 'may need to send troops to Congo'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain may need to send troops to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo if diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the crisis fail, a Foreign Office minister warned today.
Lord Malloch-Brown said that the UK and other European powers could not stand back if the fighting between government and rebel forces erupted again.
His comments came as Foreign Secretary David Miliband and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner were embarking on a joint mission to the region to try to bring the warring parties together.
Lord Malloch-Brown said that while the priority was to find a diplomatic solution, contingency plans were being drawn up for the deployment of an EU force to bolster United Nations peacekeepers.
"We have certainly got to have it as an option which is developed and on the table if we need it," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"The first line of call on this should be the deployment of the UN's own troops from elsewhere in the country.
"But we have got to have plans. If everything else fails we cannot stand back and watch violence erupt.
"Britain is currently the so-called standby country which would indeed need to contribute.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today spoke of his fears for people in the Congo.
Mr Brown, on a visit to the Gulf states, said: "My worry is about the thousands of people being displaced at the moment by the violence that is taking place.
"There is only a solution to this by discussion and not by military means."
He said he believed Mr Miliband and other delegations could "make progress" in defusing the crisis.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments