RENEWED FIGHTING IN GUINEA-BISSAU

HEAVY machinegun and light arms fire resumed in Bissau on Friday morning near the presidential palace and other areas.Weapons had fallen silent overnight after government and rebel forces in Guinea Bissau traded heavy artillery and light arms fire for three hours on Thursday evening breaking a truce of more than three months and endangering a reconciliation process set to culminate in elections in November. Troops loyal to President Joao Bernardo Vieira were putting up heavy resistance near the president’s residence. Witnesses questioned from Dakar by telephone said the renewed fighting between soldiers loyal to the president and rebel troops of General Ansumane Mane had caused panic in the capital.Rebel troops appeared to have taken advantage of the night to spread throughout the city and broadcast a communique asking foreign diplomats in Bissau and the Ecomog west African peace force to leave the city.