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DR Congo gun battles 'claim 150' | DR Congo gun battles 'claim 150' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 150 people have been killed in gun battles between government troops and militiamen in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, Kinshasa. | At least 150 people have been killed in gun battles between government troops and militiamen in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, Kinshasa. |
Aid workers told the BBC the bodies had been taken to hospitals. | |
A BBC correspondent in Kinshasa reports queues of army and civilian vehicles taking bodies to the city's mortuary. | |
The army has now regained control after violence flared on Thursday with fighters loyal to Jean-Pierre Bemba, who lost presidential polls last year. | The army has now regained control after violence flared on Thursday with fighters loyal to Jean-Pierre Bemba, who lost presidential polls last year. |
After two days of heavy fighting, Congolese aid workers have told the BBC that more than 150 bodies have been brought to the city's hospitals and mortuaries. | After two days of heavy fighting, Congolese aid workers have told the BBC that more than 150 bodies have been brought to the city's hospitals and mortuaries. |
A doctor for the non-governmental organisation Caritas also said 80 severely injured people were being treated in hospital. | A doctor for the non-governmental organisation Caritas also said 80 severely injured people were being treated in hospital. |
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says he has seen a number of bodies still lying in the streets of the capital. | The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says he has seen a number of bodies still lying in the streets of the capital. |
Security arrangements | Security arrangements |
Government troops have recaptured most of the capital after Jean-Pierre Bemba's guards reportedly fled the business district and surrendered to UN peacekeepers. | Government troops have recaptured most of the capital after Jean-Pierre Bemba's guards reportedly fled the business district and surrendered to UN peacekeepers. |
An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Bemba on grounds of treason. He has immunity as a senator but the government says this may be stripped. | An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Bemba on grounds of treason. He has immunity as a senator but the government says this may be stripped. |
I am afraid of what the opposition can do Ugoo, Nigerian businessman Eyewitness: Foreigners' fears In pictures: Kinshasa clashes Clashes reflect Congo's divide Have Your Say | I am afraid of what the opposition can do Ugoo, Nigerian businessman Eyewitness: Foreigners' fears In pictures: Kinshasa clashes Clashes reflect Congo's divide Have Your Say |
Mr Bemba has taken refuge in the South African embassy compound and has denied plotting military action to overthrow President Joseph Kabila. | Mr Bemba has taken refuge in the South African embassy compound and has denied plotting military action to overthrow President Joseph Kabila. |
A deadline for Mr Bemba's guards to disarm expired this week but he wants additional security guarantees before they lay down their weapons. | A deadline for Mr Bemba's guards to disarm expired this week but he wants additional security guarantees before they lay down their weapons. |
He told the BBC: "I feel they want to kill me." He has called for negotiations with the government about his security arrangements. | He told the BBC: "I feel they want to kill me." He has called for negotiations with the government about his security arrangements. |
As a former vice-president in the transitional government, he is entitled to 15 policemen for his protection. | As a former vice-president in the transitional government, he 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 the country's information minister said there is no reason for fresh talks. | But the country's information minister said there is no reason for fresh talks. |
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. |
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. |
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