United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon urged Congo's government to get control of its troops in the African nation's conflict-wracked east.

Mr Ban blamed a "collapse in discipline" in units of Congo's armed forces for the escalating looting and attacks on UN and associated staff in North Kivu.

Actor George Clooney, who was appointed by Mr Ban as a UN Messenger of Peace, urged nations to do more to help bring peace to Congo.

"The recent events in Congo are deeply concerning," he said.