Gun battle breaks out in Kinshasa
There is heavy shooting in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, between the opposition leader's guards and the army.
Troops loyal to Jean-Pierre Bemba have refused to abide by an ultimatum to disband and join the national army.
The half-naked guards, wearing red head scarves and carrying bows, arrows and rifles, have taken over streets near Mr Bemba's residence.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says the army has sent reinforcements.
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.
Mr Bemba's party says his safety is not guaranteed if his guards disarm.
Stand-off
Our correspondent says it is not clear who started the shooting earlier on Thursday morning.
He says there is now a stand-off between the two sides and heavy gunfire and artillery fire can be heard.
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.
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.
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.
Mr Kabila won 58% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 42%.
bbc.news.uk
