Washington, DC — One day after a group of mutineers tried to topple President Félix Patassé of the Central African Republic, the army says it regained control of all parts of the capital Bangui, except a southern district around the national radio transmitter where the mutineers are reported to have taken refuge. But local witnesses said on Tuesday gunfire could still be heard in south, central as well as west Bangui where the main barracks is located.

Thousands of residents are said to have fled their homes in the southern districts of the capital fearing an escalation.

According to official casualty figures, seven presidential guards and a large but unspecified number of mutineers have been killed. The presidential spokesman said President Patassé was unharmed. He also said the identity of the mutineers is still unknown but unconfirmed reports from Bangui say that some of the disgruntled soldiers had been involved in previous mutinies and that mercenaries from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo also took part in yesterday's attempted coup.

President Patassé has been in power since 1993 after he defeated his predecessor Andre Kolingba at the polls.