This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6479625.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Gun battle breaks out in Kinshasa Gunfire rattles DR Congo capital
(about 7 hours later)
There is heavy shooting in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, between the opposition leader's guards and the army. Gunfire and explosions have echoed around the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, as government troops clashed with the opposition leader's personal militia.
Troops loyal to Jean-Pierre Bemba have refused to abide by an ultimatum to disband and join the national army. The UN Security Council has expressed "serious concern" over the fighting and has called for an immediate ceasefire.
The half-naked guards, wearing red head scarves and carrying bows, arrows and rifles, have taken over streets near Mr Bemba's residence. Troops loyal to failed presidential candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba have refused to disband and join the army.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says the army has sent reinforcements. The half-naked guards, wearing red head scarves and carrying bows and rifles, took over streets near Mr Bemba's home.
Ceasefire call
On Thursday night, Mr Bemba appealed to his soldiers to return to their positions.
"I ask the soldiers of the FARDC [Congolese army] not to fire on my soldiers. We must talk like politicians," he said in a message broadcast across the city on UN radio.
Mr Bemba, a former rebel leader, was defeated by Joseph Kabila in landmark presidential elections in October last year.Mr Bemba, a former rebel leader, was defeated by Joseph Kabila in landmark presidential elections in October last year.
Last year, the United Nations mission in DR Congo (Monuc) estimated that Mr Bemba's armed guard comprised some 200 men. His personal armed guard are believed to number some 200 men, according to a 2006 estimate from the UN mission in Congo.
Mr Bemba's party says his safety is not guaranteed if his guards disarm.Mr Bemba's party says his safety is not guaranteed if his guards disarm.
Stand-off 'Bodies'
Our correspondent says it is not clear who started the shooting earlier on Thursday morning. The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman, in Kinshasa, says that it is not clear who started the shooting on Thursday morning.
He says there is now a stand-off between the two sides and heavy gunfire and artillery fire can be heard. Gunfire continued throughout the day and, by late evening, Mr Bemba's guards controlled a large area of the city's business district.
The explosions could be heard across the Congo River in the neighbouring capital of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville, and the city's town hall was hit by a rocket.
There are reports of both soldiers and civilians being killed and wounded in the fighting in Kinshasa.
Our correspondent says eyewitnesses have told him they have seen the bodies of five civilians and two soldiers killed in the street battles.
UN peacekeepers have not intervened, but our reporter saw a few UN armoured vehicles deployed near the scene of the fighting.UN peacekeepers have not intervened, but our reporter saw a few UN armoured vehicles deployed near the scene of the fighting.
Some 15,000 UN troops are in DR Congo - the world's largest peacekeeping force. Some 15,000 UN troops - the world's largest peacekeeping force - are in DR Congo.
Security
Mr Bemba, who was a vice-president in the transitional government and is now a senator, is entitled to 15 policemen for his protection.Mr Bemba, who was a vice-president in the transitional government and is now a senator, is entitled to 15 policemen for his protection.
Under a second agreement, the winner of the presidential poll is committed to guarantee the loser's security. Under an agreement signed ahead of the election, the winner of the presidential poll is committed to guarantee the loser's security.
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.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.
Last year's elections were DR Congo's first democratic elections in more than 40 years after a transitional peace process that ended a brutal five year civil war.Last year's elections were DR Congo's first democratic elections in more than 40 years after a transitional peace process that ended a brutal five year civil war.
Mr Kabila won 58% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 42%.Mr Kabila won 58% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 42%.