Reinforcements arrive to prop up government

Libyan soldiers arrived at Mpoko International Airport in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui Wednesday morning on two Russian cargo planes, offloading equipment and light armoured vehicles to reinforce troops loyal to President Ange-Felix Patasse in their effort to quash a coup, sources in the city told IRIN on Thursday. “It appears that reinforcements from Chad have also arrived and that a counter-offensive against the positions held by the mutineers is imminent,” an NGO source told IRIN. “Patasse is receiving the additional support of some 150 to 200 troops of Jean-Pierre Bemba’s rebel Mouvement pour la liberation du Congo (MLC) from across the River Ubangui in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).” The army has regained control over most parts of the city, according to news organisations, although two strategic southern Bangui districts - Petevo and Bimbo, where the River Ubangui port and national radio transmitter are located respectively - are still believed to be in rebel hands. However, both districts are said to be surrounded by government troops. In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI) on Wednesday, Patasse declared that the regular army was in control and the situation was normalising. He also confirmed his presence in Bangui and said mutiny leader and former president General Andre Kolingba would have to answer to CAR justice as well as an international tribunal for mutiny, sources told IRIN. In a separate interview with Radio France Internationale, Kolingba confirmed his involvement, but claimed it was not a coup. “The mutineers have asked me as a former head of state and officer, to intervene,” he said. “I am calling on France to support me in order to restore national cohesion, peace and security in the country. It is not a coup.” Kolingba called on Patasse to resign, and pledged to ensure his safety and the protection of his property. Kolingba’s whereabouts are unknown. According to reports, Kolingba has enlisted two Rwandan generals commanding some 300 Rwandan and Angolan mercenaries. The rebels are said to be well organised, carrying modern weapons and wearing uniforms. Witnesses report that at least 20 people have died in the coup attempt and in subsequent skirmishes, including government troops, rebels, and civilians. It was not known how many might have died in the operation by government forces to eliminate pockets of resistance. State radio and television remained off air on Thursday morning, with the rebels believed to have sabotaged the transmitter. However, independent station Radio Ndeke Luka resumed broadcasting on Wednesday morning, the NGO source told IRIN. The source added that the streets remained deserted, with military checkpoints in place throughout the city. Water and electricity services were still functioning, however. The 1800 to 0600 (local time) curfew is still in effect. Little information was available regarding the situation outside Bangui. IRIN was receiving various reports ranging from calm to unrest, such as in Pissa, some 70 km west of Bangui, where arms and communications equipment were reportedly stolen from the local police.