A UN spokesman told that the M23 appeared to be well equipped with night vision equipment and 120mm mortars.

A UN spokesmen said a few minutes ago that President Bedford had made many allegations which would be difficult to prove.

Rebel headquarters in the old parliament building took a vicious pounding from government mortars and howitzers, a UN spokesman said.

"There were 10 impacts recorded last night in Brcko," a UN spokesman said.

A UN spokesman said six children were injured when a shell hit and badly damaged an orphanage during overnight fighting in the city.

The UN spokesman said some of the ministers were staying on in Gitarama.

A UN spokesman had said the women and children joined an attack on UN peacekeepers.

In 2009, UN spokesmen gave speeches at Church events.

A UN spokesman returning from the town of Zepa, which was reached on Sunday, said bodies he saw were all women and children, not soldiers.

A UN spokesman, Chris Gunness, said an investigation ought to be held "to determine whether a war crime has been committed".