Hundreds of Congolese soldiers and police officers who have been seeking refuge at a United Nations compound in Goma since the capture of the eastern city in January are being transferred to Kinshasa, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

The ICRC said it would escort the now unarmed soldiers and police officers and their families from the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission area to the Congolese capital for several days.

According to MONUSCO, some 1,400 people - most of them soldiers - have fled to its Goma camp since late January. "Given the complexity of the operation and the risks associated with it, the ICRC calls for respect for international humanitarian law and accountability from all parties involved," it said.

M23 has held two major Congolese cities since January as the long-running conflict, which has its roots in the Rwandan genocide and the struggle for control of Congo's vast resources, continues to escalate.

However, Rwanda denies allegations that it is supporting the M23 rebels by arming them, saying its forces are defending themselves against the Congolese army and other rebels.