The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on leaders of the March 23 rebel movement in Democratic Republic of Congo and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, known by its French initials FLDR.

M23 forces, which mutinied in early 2011, captured the capital of North Kivu province last month but later withdrew. Rwanda is accused of backing M23 rebels, though it denies the allegations.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the United States was concerned about the security situation in eastern DRC.