Congo to reassess U.N. withdrawal plan after deadly protests

FILE PHOTO: United Nations peacekeeping troops patrol the streets in armoured personnel carriers on election day in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa July 30, 2006. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly/File Photo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's government will reevaluate the withdrawal plan of the United Nations peacekeeping mission after deadly anti-U.N. protests last week, it said late on Monday, suggesting it may ask the force to leave quicker than expected.

The government said 29 civilians and four MONUSCO peacekeepers were killed during demonstrations across east Congo. Protesters were demanding that peacekeepers leave the country for failing to protect civilians against militia groups that have wreaked havoc in the region for decades.