Troops fear chaos as violence grips capital

Bangui (Reuter) - Heavy shooting and widespread looting resumed in the Central African Republic capital, Bangui, yesterday, and French troops helping to quell a mutiny by local soldiers said they feared a general insurrection.

Witnesses said heavy gunfire erupted as night fell and after US and French military aircraft flew out with the first groups of their nationals fleeing the violence, which started on Saturday. Most French troops patrolling the streets withdrew to their base, they added.

Radio France Internationale reported from Bangui that rebels made a number of demands, including withdrawal of French troops and amnesty for mutineers, when they and government envoys finally held a brief round of peace talks.

Reflecting the deteriorating situation in Bangui, the radio station said a French military transport plane flew out with 138 French nationals, mostly women and children. Earlier, the French co-operation minister, Jacques Godfrain, quoted by the station, ruled out any immediate French evacuation.

A US military C-130 Hercules, which landed with Marines earlier in the day, ferried the first group of about a dozen Americans to Douala, Cameroon, and many more were waiting at the embassy.