Hardline Tutsi protests thwarted in Burundi

Tutsi hardliners in Burundi say police have arrested at least 30 of their colleagues over protests against government-backed moves to end the war with Hutu rebels.

The activists were from the largest Tutsi opposition party, Parena.

It failed to attend the recent summit in Arusha where an agreement was brokered over arrangements for a transitional government of national unity.

Some Hutu rebel fighters would also be integrated into the Tutsi-led army and foreign peacekeepers would be deployed.

The Parena party's vice-president, Cyrille Barancira, was arrested on Friday for planning a demonstration against the stationing of foreign troops in Burundi.

In another development, three military officers are reported to have been arrested in connection with a failed coup attempt by Tutsi soldiers last month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service