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DR Congo seeks to arrest ex-rebel DR Congo seeks to arrest ex-rebel
(about 1 hour later)
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued an arrest warrant for an opposition leader, accusing him of treason after violent clashes. The Democratic Republic of Congo has issued an arrest warrant for an opposition leader, accusing him of treason, as his gunmen battle the army.
Militiamen loyal to Jean-Pierre Bemba, who lost a presidential poll last year, have been fighting with the army. As a senator, he should have immunity. Militiamen loyal to ex-rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba are losing ground to government forces in the capital.
Gun and mortar fire continued in the capital, Kinshasa, on Friday, a day after at least 10 people died. Mr Bemba, who lost elections last year, has immunity as a senator but the government says this may be stripped.
Mr Bemba, an ex-rebel leader, has taken refuge in the South African embassy. He has taken refuge in the South African embassy but the government wants him handed over.
Last year's election - the first free poll in four decades - passed off peacefully, raising hopes of an end to years of conflict and mismanagement.Last year's election - the first free poll in four decades - passed off peacefully, raising hopes of an end to years of conflict and mismanagement.
'Rebellion''Rebellion'
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says that in some areas, the army seem to be gaining the upper hand, with Mr Bemba's guards running away and abandoning their uniforms. The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in the capital, Kinshasa, says that in some areas, the army seem to be gaining the upper hand, with Mr Bemba's guards running away and abandoning their uniforms.
I am afraid of what the opposition can do Ugoo, Nigerian businessman class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6483803.stm">Eyewitness: Foreigners' fears class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6484067.stm">Clashes reflect Congo's divide The government is demanding that South Africa hands over Mr Bemba but a South African diplomat told our reporter that they were awaiting instructions from Pretoria. "Bemba committed treason in using the armed forces for his own ends," said Congolese government spokesman Toussaint Tshilombo.
Mr Bemba told the BBC that he was not trying to oust Mr Kabila. I am afraid of what the opposition can do Ugoo, Nigerian businessman class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6483803.stm">Eyewitness: Foreigners' fears class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6484067.stm">Clashes reflect Congo's divide
A DR Congo government official said the unrest constituted a "rebellion". But Mr Bemba told the BBC that he was not trying to oust Mr Kabila.
A deadline for Mr Bemba's guards to disarm expired this week - he wants additional security guarantees.A deadline for Mr Bemba's guards to disarm expired this week - he wants additional security guarantees.
South Africa's deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad urged all sides to stop fighting but did not say whether Mr Bemba would be handed over to the Congolese authorities.
The United Nations Security Council has expressed "serious concern" over the fighting and has called for an immediate ceasefire.The United Nations Security Council has expressed "serious concern" over the fighting and has called for an immediate ceasefire.
In neighbouring Brazzaville, capital of Republic of Congo, the government is preparing for an influx people fleeing across the river which separates the two cities.In neighbouring Brazzaville, capital of Republic of Congo, the government is preparing for an influx people fleeing across the river which separates the two cities.
DR Congo's oil reserves have been bombed during the violence and thousands of civilians remain caught in the middle of the fighting, our reporter says. DR Congo's oil reserves were bombed overnight and thousands of civilians remain caught in the middle of the fighting, our reporter says.
According to eyewitness reports at least seven civilians and three soldiers have been killed but given the intensity of the fighting the final count could be much higher, our correspondent says. According to eyewitness reports, at least seven civilians and three soldiers have been killed but given the intensity of the fighting the final count could be much higher, our correspondent says.
Disputed election
Earlier, UN peacekeepers evacuated more than 450 civilians from areas affected by the fighting to its Kinshasa headquarters using armoured personnel carriers.Earlier, UN peacekeepers evacuated more than 450 civilians from areas affected by the fighting to its Kinshasa headquarters using armoured personnel carriers.
Some 17,000 UN troops - the world's largest peacekeeping force - are stationed in DR Congo.Some 17,000 UN troops - the world's largest peacekeeping force - are stationed in DR Congo.
Mr Bemba challenged his defeat in October's election
On Thursday night, Mr Bemba called for a ceasefire and negotiations with the government.On Thursday night, Mr Bemba called for a ceasefire and negotiations with the government.
However, the country's information minister said that since the government was democratically elected last year there was no reason for fresh talks. However, the country's information minister said that since the government was democratically elected last year, there was no reason for fresh talks.
Disputed election
Mr Bemba's personal armed guard is believed to number some 200 men, according to a 2006 estimate from the UN mission in Congo.Mr Bemba's personal armed guard is believed to number some 200 men, according to a 2006 estimate from the UN mission in Congo.
Mr Bemba's personal armed guard are believed to number 200 men As a former vice-president in the transitional government, Mr Bemba is entitled to 15 policemen for his protection.
As a former vice-president in the transitional government, Mr Bemba - who is now a senator - is entitled to 15 policemen for his protection.
Under another agreement signed ahead of the election, the winner of the presidential poll is committed to guarantee the loser's security.Under another agreement signed ahead of the election, the winner of the presidential poll is committed to guarantee the loser's security.
But Mr Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) party says their leader is in danger and wants talks about the terms of these agreements.But Mr Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) party says their leader is in danger and wants talks about the terms of these agreements.
President Joseph Kabila won 58% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 42% in an election run-off last October.President Joseph Kabila won 58% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 42% in an election run-off last October.
Mr Bemba gained a majority in the west, including Kinshasa, while Mr Kabila won a landslide in eastern areas.Mr Bemba gained a majority in the west, including Kinshasa, while Mr Kabila won a landslide in eastern areas.
Mr Bemba contested the results, but his challenge was rejected by a court. Mr Bemba contested the results, but his challenge was rejected by the courts.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fighting? Send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fighting? Send us your experiences using the form below:
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