ICC sends mission to DRC to urge 'restraint'

The chief prosecutor of the world's only permanent war crimes court said on Monday she has sent a team to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to urge restraint after weeks of deadly unrest.

More than 50 people died in clashes in the capital Kinshasa in September as the opposition called on President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, to step down.

There have been growing fears that Kabila intends to stay in office after his term ends in December. And the European Union on Monday warned the country could face sanctions if it does not hold early elections.