Information Minister Lambert Mende told Reuters that the fighters had been "driven out and suffered heavy losses".

BBC: DR Congo forces clash with militia in Lubumbashi

"We know very well that these men have links to M23, " said Lambert Mende, a DRC government spokesman.

CNN: South African police seize alleged Congo coup plotters

Government spokesman Lambert Mende said the government did not have much confidence in the rebel ceasefire, Reuters news agency reports.

BBC: DR Congo's M23 rebels declare unilateral ceasefire

Lambert Mende, Congo's information minister, said the M23 rebels attacked the national army positions first, in an attempt to cut off the main road, north of Goma, which is expected to be used for the planned deployment of the new U.N. brigade.

WSJ: Fighting Breaks Out in Congo

Lambert Mende, Congo's information minister, said separately that the M23 rebels attacked the national army positions first, in an attempt to cut off the main road, north of Goma, which is expected to be used for the planned deployment of the new U.N. brigade.

WSJ: Fighting Breaks Out in Congo