The United States, France and Britain pressured Rwanda on Sunday over its support for rebels rapidly closing in on eastern Congo's largest city, as government forces struggled to halt an offensive that has forced thousands of civilians to flee.

France criticizes Rwanda's support of the M23 rebel offensive in the Democratic Republic of Congo. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged for fighting to cease and dialogue to resume. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of peacekeepers and displaced thousands,

Rebels seized the airport of east Congo's largest city, Goma, on Tuesday, potentially cutting off the main route for aid to reach hundreds of thousands of displaced people, after capturing the city in an offensive that left dead bodies lying in the streets.