NEW YORK - Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed outrage over evidence of sexual abuse by United Nations peacekeepers in Congo, which he called a "shameful thing" for the world body.

About 30 cases of abuse, including the sexual abuse of minors, involving military and UN civilian staff, were reported in the spring in the northeastern town of Bunia.

"I am afraid there is clear evidence that acts of gross misconduct have taken place," said Annan, who is in Tanzania attending a summit on Africa's Great Lakes region. "This is a shameful thing for the United Nations to have to say, and I am absolutely outraged by it."