Soldiers, Militia Clash In Republic Of Congo

Government soldiers and forces loyal to a former dictator battled for control of Brazzaville airport on Saturday, despite word the two sides had reached a peace agreement.

Both President Pascal Lissouba and Denis Sassou-Nguesso have claimed control of the airport in recent days, but the heavy fighting on Saturday indicated neither had secured the facility.

A spokesman for Sassou-Nguesso said the government controlled one end of the runway. But the spokesman, Valentine Olezzongo, said Sassou-Nguesso’s militia held the control tower and an adjacent building that until last week had been the headquarters of a French military evacuation team.

The French pulled out after helping nearly 6,000 foreigners flee the Republic of Congo’s civil war. Since their departure, the airport north of downtown Brazzaville - crucial to bringing in supplies and possible reinforcements - has been the main battleground.