Burundi rebels clash near capital

Fighting between Burundi's two main Hutu rebel groups has forced thousands of civilians to flee, only days after talks to push the country's peace process forward collapsed.

The clashes between rebels of the National Liberation Forces (FNL) and the larger Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) took place at Mubimbi, about 25km from the capital, Bujumbura, leading to the closure of the country's main highway.

So far five civilians and 10 rebels have been killed, the AFP news agency quoted local authorities as saying.

Talks between Burundi President Domitien Ndayizeye and FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza in Tanzania, involving several heads of state, broke down int eh early hours of Tuesday morning.

In December 2000, the FDD and the government signed a ceasefire agreement that has been flouted by both sides, but the FNL has refused to hold talks with the government.

Failure

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based press freedom group, has urged Burundi to lift a ban on a private radio station that aired a debate featuring a rebel spokesman.

The closure was ordered by Information Minister Albert Mbonerane against African Public Radio [RPA] on Tuesday following a phone-in programme with a rebel FNL spokesperson who was discussing the failure of the latest round of peace talks.

The ban comes only days after the government closed another station, Radio Isanganiro, after it broadcast interviews with rebel officials.

The summit in Tanzania intended to push forward Burundi's peace process on Tuesday failed to agree on a ceasefire, with President Ndayizeye saying that the FDD was demanding an unreasonable percentage of positions in the army, police and government.