Congo backs Kabila's son

Calm has been restored on the streets of Kinshasa

State television in the Democratic Republic of Congo has given its backing to the son of President Laurent Kabila as the country's caretaker leader.

Confusion still surrounds the fate of Laurent Kabila, who is widely reported to have died following a shooting incident on Tuesday.

Joseph Kabila: Acting head of government

The uncertainty threatens to plunge one of Africa's largest and most populous countries - which is divided by a rebellion - into further chaos.

The Congolese Government still insists that the older Kabila is still alive, and that his son's appointment is only an interim measure.

The television showed pictures of his son, Joseph, in an attempt to quash rumours that he too had died in the shooting.

"Contrary to all the information broadcast by neighbouring countries' radio stations, the head of state, Mzee [old man] Laurent-Desire Kabila, is not dead," the TV said.

Crisis unfolds

Tuesday 1600GMT: Gunfire reported around Kabila's home

1700: Kabila reportedly orders army to close routes into Kinshasa

1800: Attempted coup reported

1800: Officials in Rwanda and Uganda say Kabila is dead

1920: Kinshasa says Kabila still giving orders

2000 Curfew imposed

2130: Belgian officials say Kabila is dead

Wednesday 1200 Kinshasa says Kabila is alive but wounded

1230: Zimbabwe says Kabila dies on the way for medical treatment

"He was just injured and transferred abroad to get appropriate medical care," a news report said at 1510 GMT.

The report included pictures which were said to be of Joseph Kabila - the head of the Congolese army - shaking hands government with military officials after an extraordinary government meeting earlier on Wednesday.

Joseph Kabila, the report said, had been made acting head of the government and armed forces.

Reports of death

Foreign diplomats - led by former colonial power Belgium - began reporting the death of Laurent Kabila on Tuesday night.

Laurent Kabila: Reportedly shot by own bodyguard

Mr Kabila is believed to have been shot and seriously injured by his own bodyguards in the presidential residence in Kinshasa

On Wednesday, the Zimbabwean Government - Laurent Kabila's main ally in the war against rebels - announced that Mr Kabila had died while being flown to Zimbabwe for medical treatment.

The United States and the United Kingdom, as well as the head of the DR Congo peace negotiations, Botswana's Ketumile Masire, all say they believe Laurent Kabila to be dead.

But French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, in Yaounde for the 21st Franco-African summit, said the Congolese president's death could not be confirmed.

Evacuation

In Kinshasa, security has been increased, and people are milling about on the streets wondering what is going on.

But Information Minister Dominique Sakombi said DR Congo's airports, closed in the wake of Tuesday's shooting, were being re-opened, and a curfew was being eased.

The shooting comes at a time of mounting discontent in the army, which has recently suffered setbacks in the civil war.

Three generals were arrested last week.

In Belgium, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt announced that the government was sending two military teams to neighbouring Gabon to prepare for a possible evacuation of foreign nationals.

About 2,500 Belgian citizens are currently resident in DR Congo, most of them concentrated in Kinshasa.

Kabila's rise to power

1960s: Begins low-level rebellion in east

No success until 1996 when Rwanda backs Kabila against Mobutu

May 1997 Mobutu flees

In 1998 Uganda and Rwanda turn against Kabila

Clings to power with backing of Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Rebel groups backed by Uganda and Rwanda have been fighting the government in Kinshasa since mid-1998, leaving Mr Kabila in control of little more than half of the country.

The BBC's West Africa correspondent, Mark Doyle, says the rebels may decide to take advantage of any confusion and try marching on the capital.

But he said it was also possible that the departure of Mr Kabila from the political scene would serve as a catalyst to peace talks being encouraged by the United Nations.

Kinshasa and its enemies have failed to abide by a series of ceasefire agreements, deepening the country's profound poverty.