Confusion in Central African Republic

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- Control of the Central African Republic's capital remains unclear after an attack on the presidential residence.

A government statement issued at midday on Monday declared that the army had the situation under control in Bangui following the attack on President Ange-Felix Patasse's compound in the early hours.

At least seven people -- three civilians and four members of the presidential guard -- had been killed, the Associated Press quoted presidential spokesman Prosper Ndouba as saying. Patasse remained inside his villa, unharmed, authorities said.

Jean-Pierre Bemba, a Congolese rebel leader who controls territory facing Bangui across the Ubangui River, said he had been told the rebels were still on the streets, armed with machine-guns and AK47 rifles, some in uniforms, others in civilians clothes.

Another woman who lives in central Bangui told CNN that the firing had stopped after several hours, but there were reports of fighting in the southern part of the city.

Bemba said the apparent uprising was led by former government soldiers who had mutinied in the past.

He said had spoken to Patasse, who told him he and his family had survived an assault.

There have been three major rebellions against Patasse since 1996 with low or delayed pay a major complaint of the soldiers involved.

The motives behind the latest incident are not known.

Patasse first won election in 1993, ending more than a decade of army rule. In 1999 he won re-election amid opposition claims of vote fraud.