Reports: Burundi regime overthrown

BUJUMBURA, Burundi -- State radio in Burundi is reporting that the government of President Pierre Buyoya has been overthrown.

"The government which is killing people is over and the government of Buyoya is over now," the radio said in a brief announcement in the Kirundi language on Wednesday.

Residents reported some shooting briefly around the radio station a short while before the announcement but the streets of the capital were quiet.

Buyoya, an ethnic Tutsi soldier who came to power in a 1996 coup, is out of the country attending a meeting with ethnic Hutu rebels in Libreville, Gabon.

AUDIO Christophe Nkurunziza, journalist: A group of soldiers want to change the situation in Burundi 566K/52 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     MESSAGE BOARD Burundi coup

Government spokesman Luc Rukingama told Reuters he had no definite information on the situation.

"I have heard the rumour but I have got no confirmation or details," he said. "I have heard the rumour and I am checking. I cannot tell you anything further."

"He (Buyoya) has traveled to Libreville. He is in negotiations."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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