“We control virtually the entire city. The soldiers who are being deployed are on our side,” coup spokesman Venon Ndabaneze told AFP during a lull in fighting mid-morning. Bujumbura (Burundi)
Heavy fighting between rival Burundian troops erupted in the capital on Thursday, the day after a top general launched a coup to oust the central African nation's President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Military sources and witnesses said troops loyal to the president were fighting off an attack against the state television and radio complex.
The president himself was in neighbouring Tanzania when the coup was launched and remains in a secret location in Dar es Salaam, Tanzanian officials said.
AFP reporters said the crackle of automatic weapons fire and the thump of explosions could be heard throughout the night and intensifying around dawn.
The streets were largely deserted by civilians as sporadic clashes could be heard in other parts of the city, while plumes of smoke were seen on the city skyline.
