Rwandan forces, invited by long-time enemy Congo to deploy up to 2,000 troops, were there to observe, not to fight Hutu militias, the government said.

More than 1,500 Rwandan troops crossed into eastern Congo, joining Congolese forces in an effort to oust the Hutu rebels who participated in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, officials said today.

Spaniard Marcos Serrano claimed victory on the 189km 18th stage of the Tour de France between Albi and Mende after holding off a strong challenge from Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx on Thursday.