Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued an arrest warrant for an opposition leader, accusing him of treason after violent clashes.
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued an arrest warrant for an opposition leader, accusing him of treason after violent clashes.
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 Jean-Pierre Bemba, who lost a presidential poll last year, have been fighting with the army. As a senator, he should have immunity.
Gun and mortar fire continued in the capital, Kinshasa, on Friday, a day after at least 10 people died.
Gun and mortar fire continued in the capital, Kinshasa, on Friday, a day after at least 10 people died.
Mr Bemba, an ex-rebel leader, has taken refuge in the South African embassy.
Mr Bemba, an ex-rebel leader, has taken refuge in the South African embassy.
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.
Confirming the issue of an arrest warrant, a DR Congo government official said the unrest constituted a "rebellion".
Confirming the issue of an arrest warrant, a DR Congo government official said the unrest constituted a "rebellion".
Mr Bemba has rejected government calls for his private security force to disarm.
Mr Bemba has rejected government calls for his private security force to disarm.
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.
'Talks deadlock'
'Talks deadlock'
Fighting ebbed in the Congolese capital overnight, but the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa said violence flared once again in the early hours of Friday.
Fighting ebbed in the Congolese capital overnight, but the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa said violence flared once again in the early hours of Friday.
Burning fires in Kinshasa can be seen from neighbouring Brazzaville
Burning fires in Kinshasa can be seen from neighbouring Brazzaville
In neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville, the government is preparing for an influx people fleeing across the border.
In neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville, the government is preparing for an influx people fleeing across the border.
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 have been bombed during the violence and thousands of civilians remain caught in the middle of the fighting, our reporter says.
Mr Bemba's militiamen have reportedly taken control in part of Kinshasa's business district.
Mr Bemba's militiamen have reportedly taken control in part of Kinshasa's business district.
However, the cars of government soldiers were able to move on the main street of the strategic area.
However, the cars of government soldiers were able to move on the main street of the strategic area.
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.
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.
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
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.
As a former vice-president in the transitional government, Mr Bemba - who is now a senator - 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 last.
President Joseph Kabila won 58% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 42% in an election run-off last October last.
Mr Bemba contested the results, but his challenge was rejected by a court.
Mr Bemba contested the results, but his challenge was rejected by a court.
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