Belgium to renews push for EU force in Congo

Belgium will appeal to its European Union counterparts to send reinforcements for U.N. peacekeepers in eastern Congo, arguing that the EU should not remain neutral while civilians die in the fighting, the prime minister said Sunday.

Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme promised to act after receiving an urgent letter from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The United Nations is requesting that the EU reconsider its earlier decision rejecting a mission and send help for people caught in clashes between Congo's government and rebel forces.

"Europe can't keep ignoring this," Leterme told VRT radio.

Leterme said the EU's "credibility …