Burundi rivals vie for control of capital
Bujumbura, 14 May - (ANA) - Rival groups of soldiers in Burundi are vying for control of the capital Bujumbura amid confusion over the success of an attempted coup.
Fighting has been reported around the state TV and Bujumbura airport. Correspondents say soldiers loyal to President Pierre Nkurunziza are back in control of key parts of the city. Coup leaders insist they remain in charge. The unrest began when Mr Nkurunziza announced he was seeking a third term. Opponents say the bid contravenes the constitution. Mr Nkurunziza came to power in 2005. The coup was announced by Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombare, a former intelligence chief and ally of the president, after Mr Nkurunziza left for regional talks in Tanzania on Wednesday. "The masses vigorously and tenaciously reject President Nkurunziza's third-term mandate. President Pierre Nkurunziza has been relieved of his duties," he said in a radio broadcast. Thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate the announcement, marching on the centre of Bujumbura alongside soldiers and two tanks. But overnight, the army chief of staff - a supporter of the president - announced the coup "has been stopped" after talks with the defence minister, who backs the overthrow. And President Nkurunziza tweeted on Thursday that the situation is under control and "constitutional order has been safeguarded". Troops loyal to the president have seized back full control of the presidential palace, the national radio and television station, the airport and the centre of Bujumbura, a senior military source said. But this has been contradicted by the coup leaders, one of whom said they are in control of "virtually the entire city" of Bujumbura. "The soldiers who are being deployed are on our side," coup spokesman Venon Ndabaneze also told the AFP news agency. (ANA)

FA/ANA/14 May 2015------------