The Democratic Republic of the Congo has summoned the Rwandan ambassador and suspended Rwandair flights to the Congo in response to what it says Kigali is supporting M23 rebels in a military offensive in eastern Congo, Reuters reported.

Rwanda has denied support for the rebels, who this week moved within 20 kilometers of the eastern Congo's main city of Goma and briefly took over the largest army base in the area.

The Congo and the UN have also accused Kigali of supporting the M23 during the 2012-2013 uprising. Rwanda denies these allegations.

Congo government spokesman announced the suspension of flights of the national carrier of Rwanda and the summoning of the ambassador late on Friday after a meeting of the national defense council.

He also stated that the Congolese authorities have declared M23 a terrorist group and will not allow it to participate in the negotiations taking place in the Kenyan capital Nairobi between the Congolese government and militia groups operating in the east of the country.

Fighting over the past week has forced more than 72,000 people from their homes, exacerbating Africa's worst displacement crisis, the United Nations said.