BANGUI, Central African Republic (Reuters) -- Rebels loyal to former army chief Francois Bozize said on Sunday they had taken control of the Central African Republic's capital, as the president took refuge in a neighbouring country.
Parfait Mbaye, a spokesman for the rebels, read a statement on state radio on Sunday morning which he said was signed by Bozize, who has led a series of coup attempts in this impoverished nation over the past two years.
"We control the city," Mbaye said, referring to the capital Bangui. He said Bozize was in Bangui and was expected to make a radio announcement later.
As occasional shots rang out across Bangui on Sunday, people looted homes belonging to Patasse's officials and relatives, carrying away furniture, televisions and cookers.
President Ange-Felix Patasse was in neighbouring Cameroon, stranded by the rebellion which took place while he was out of the country attending a regional summit in Niger.
Mbaye urged people to stop looting and also called on all military personnel, including soldiers, paramilitary police and customs officers, to return to barracks in the city.
Gunfire crackled across Bangui on Saturday afternoon as fighters in pickup trucks attacked the airport and Patasse's residence, quickly seizing control of strategic points and pushing back an African peacekeeping force.
Residents said soldiers from the regular armed forces did not confront the fighters, who were dressed in military fatigues with some also wearing white headscarves.
Patasse had been flying home from Niger when the attack forced his plane to change course to Cameroon. He arrived with his wife and entourage at a hotel in the capital Yaounde late on Saturday.
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