Burundi clashes kill 19

Burundi troops patrol the streets of Bujumbura.

Fresh clashes between the army and ethnic Hutu rebels in the central African state of Burundi have killed 19, officials say.

The dead comprise nine soldiers and 10 guerrillas.

The killings happened in a rebel ambush on Friday in the Kibera forest, a base of guerrilla activity in the north of the country.

Up to 200,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Burundi in massacres and attacks by Hutu rebels and in reprisals by the Tutsi-led army during a seven-year civil war.

Resurgence of violence

The rebels wounded at least 12 other soldiers in the clash and stole weapons and uniforms

Nelson Mandela has offered to mediate between Burundi's President Pierre Buyoya (right) and the rebels

In a separate incident, Burundian troops reportedly killed 10 guerrillas on Thursday in the southern province of Bururi.

At least 67 people were killed in fighting and rebel attacks earlier this week.

Mandela visit

The latest clashes came as former South African President Nelson Mandela met with President Pierre Buyoya and the army's high command in Bujumbura.

It was his first visit to the country since agreeing to mediate its seven-year civil war.

Mr Mandela believes the Burundian army supports peace talks to end the conflict.

He described the defence forces as being "far ahead of the thinking of some politicians. They support the peace process without reservation."

An overhaul of the Burundian army, dominated by the Tutsi minority, to integrate the majority Hutu rebels is one of the thorniest issues being thrashed out in marathon peace talks begun in June 1998.