The Belgian Cycling Federation has delayed its reconnaissance trip to Rwanda for this year's Road World Championships, amidst growing concerns about the event may have to be moved to a different location due to the rapidly developing conflict in the Goma region of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

The United Nations said Wednesday that there is relative calm in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, following several days of intense fighting between the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the Congolese army for control of the city.

The M23 rebel group has declared the key city of Goma under its control, signalling a big blow to the Congolese army.

Protests erupted in Kinshasa as demonstrators targeted foreign embassies, demanding action against Rwanda's alleged support of M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The rebels, aiming for control of Goma, have intensified the region's humanitarian crisis and prompted international condemnation of Rwanda's involvement.

Belgium on Wednesday warned its citizens against traveling to DR Congo, as Brussels Airlines scrapped a flight to Kinshasa after violent protests erupted over the conflict rocking the east of the country.

GOMA: An armed group backed by Rwandan troops took control of the airport in the besieged DR Congo city of Goma while protesters complaining of international inaction over the crisis attacked several embassies in the capital Kinshasa, dealing a major blow to Congolese forces and putting the regional capital on the brink of falling on Tuesday.

At the heart of the territory grab by Government-backed M23 militia in the Congo is Rwanda's desire to increase exports of valuable minerals to Europe following a deal with the EU.

In 2012, when M23 rebels appeared poised to seize control of a major city in eastern Congo, western countries suspended aid to put pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its support

Diplomatic sources say the bloc is facing calls to suspend its wide-ranging minerals agreement with Rwanda amid fears it is inflaming the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. View on euronews

The Rwanda-backed armed group M23 vowed on Thursday to march on the DR Congo capital, Kinshasa, as its fighters made further advances in the mineral-rich east of the country.

Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after