The UN Security Council on Thursday agreed to boost its forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo by some 3,000 troops.

In a unanimous resolution, the council agreed to boost the 17,000-strong mission known by the acronym MONUC by "up to 2,785 military personnel, and the strength of its formed police unit by up to 300 personnel."

The temporary reinforcement will last until the end of December, but could be renewed at the same time as the mandate of the MONUC mission which also expires then.