KINSHASA, June 3 (Xinhuanet)-- Seven people were killed Thursday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),when United Nations forces opened fire on rampaging protesters as the fall of an eastern city sparked violent protests across the city, doctors at a main hospital said.

    Some 30,000 college students took to the streets across Kinshasa on Thursday, targeting UN peacekeeping forces in the country for what they said was the international body's failure tostop Wednesday's capture of the eastern border city of Bukavu by troops loyal to former rebel commanders.

    Protest soon escalated into riot, as angry protesters broke shop windows, burnt vehicles, and attacked government offices. TheUN Congo mission became the main target of the rioters when they broke down the main door of a UN logistics base and stormed the building.

    DRC Foreign Minister Antoine Ghonda said in a radio speech thatthe government will do its best to restore peace and stability in the country. He called on the public to remain calm and hoped thatthe situation will cool down in one or two days.

    War started in 1998 in the Congo when Rwanda and Uganda backed Congolese rebels seeking to overthrow the government of Kabila's father, Laurent Kabila.

    Despite the 2002 peace deals, sporadic fighting has continued in the Congo's formerly rebel-held east and northeast. Enditem