Army denies major clashes in Bujumbura Rurale

The Burundian army has denied media reports of major clashes in Bujumbura Rurale over the weekend. Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mamert Sinarinzi told IRIN on Thursday there was a "small clash" after rebels infiltrated the Mutumba area of the province, and one civilian was killed. He said the rebels were hidden among the population, but there were also infiltrations from Tanzania. The spokesman added that there had been clashes on the Burundi-Tanzania border last week in which one Rwandan was captured. He said this proved there was a "coalition" operating in the Great Lakes region of the Burundian FDD, PALIPEHUTU, FROLINA rebels and the ex-FAR and Interahamwe of Rwanda. Sinarinzi said the continuing border problems could "trouble" the Arusha peace process, but the talks would continue.