Johannesburg — DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba stayed put in SA's embassy in Kinshasa yesterday, amid growing concerns that renewed violence in the capital might not come to a speedy end.

Tensions are rising, with both President Joseph Kabila and Bemba making contradictory and incendiary statements in the wake of clashes between their armed groups at the weekend.

The violence left at least 120 dead and raised concerns about the future of democracy in Congo.

The recent developments have come as a blow to SA's diplomatic efforts in the region -- which Bemba was apparently aware of when seeking refuge in the embassy on Thursday.

Foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said Bemba's stay at the embassy compound was "temporary" and that the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Congo was in talks to find a way out for Bemba.

In an apparent response to calls from the UN, the African Union and various countries for dialogue, Kabila said yesterday security is "not guaranteed through negotiation" and that order had to be restored at any cost.

He refused to say what would happen to his former vice-president, saying that a "judicial procedure" had been launched.

Kabila's tough stance seems to be motivated by his conviction that Bemba's fighters wanted to seize control of Kinshasa.

The president also said that his dispute with his former deputy and presidential rival during the October polls was military, rather than political.

Bemba yesterday vigorously rejected Kabila's claims. A source close to the opposition leader told Business Day that Bemba viewed Kabila's actions as an "attempt to behead the country's opposition".

"Kabila has no will to commit to democracy and to let the opposition organise and thrive. He is slowly turning away from the recently made democratic gains and establishing a dictatorship."

Analysts and diplomats expressed concern as Congo is seen as a potential democratic beacon for central Africa.

Congo's general prosecutor issued an arrest warrant on Friday accusing Bemba of high treason for starting this week's violence.

"If Bemba is forced to leave, or they persist with some show trial, it's a strong signal Kabila doesn't really have a commitment to democracy or political opposition," a western diplomat said.

Many members of Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo are in hiding.