Mozambique's President Armando Guebuza has warned that he would respond firmly to the deadly weekend attacks against civilian vehicles blamed on armed members of the former rebel group Renamo, according to AFP. And in return, Renamo reportedly called on its members to retaliate against any operation targeting it by government forces.

The main opposition party in Mozambique denied that they were involved in Saturday's attacks, which left three people dead, Verdade reported.

The spokesperson for the party, Fernando Mazanga, told the Portuguese news agency Lusa that Renamo "does not attack civilians - we attack those who attack us." Mazanga warned people to be careful while travelling in Muxungué, where the attack occurred.

He reportedly believes the Frelimo government, the ruling party in Mozambique since independence in 1975, is blaming the attacks on Renamo to "confuse" the public.

Since last week, at least a dozen people were killed in the area of Muxungué in central Mozambique as a result of attacks by armed men.