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1st LD: Burundi's gov't troops regain control of airport: sources

Xinhua, May 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundi's pro-president troops have regained control of the international airport in the capital Bujumbura, which was earlier taken by the pro-coup forces, sources told Xinhua on Thursday.

Currently government forces have also secured control of the State House, headquarters of the ruling party CNDD-FDD, the state TV broadcaster and the state radio, the sources said.

Government troops based in other provinces are on their way to the capital to "help control the situation," a security source said on condition of anonymity.

Intensive infighting broke out between government troops and coup forces throughout Wednesday night until early hours of Thursday.

Attempts by the coup plotters to negotiate with loyalist forces led by Burundi's Army Chief of Staff General Prime Niyongabo failed after the latter vowed "to die for Nkurunziza."

A statement from the Burundi presidency on Thursday urged Burundians to "remain calm." Endi