Reports from the Central African Republic (CAR) say fighting has resumed in the capital, Bangui, between government soldiers and fighters loyal to a former army chief, Francois Bozize.

The BBC's Joseph Benamse in Bangui says sporadic shooting has been heard in the city.

More than 30 people have been killed in the fighting that began on Friday, and more than 50,000 people have fled their homes.

The government of the CAR has urged the rebels to surrender, and said fighters from Chad were among the dead rebels.

General Bozize has called on President Ange-Felix Patasse to begin a dialogue with the opposition or step down.

Attack

On Sunday, the CAR Government launched an offensive in northern districts of Bangui, in an effort to dislodge the rebels, who control a third of the city.

Communication Minister Gabriel Jean Edouard Koyambounou said loyalist forces had killed a number of rebels, some of them fighters from neighbouring Chad.

Bangui residents reported seeing plumes of smoke early on Sunday, as two military aircraft attacked northern districts of the city.

Fighting was also reported near the official residence of President Ange-Felix Patasse, which is protected by both government forces and Libyan troops.

Our correspondent says the whereabouts of President Patasse are unknown, but the army says he is in a place of safety.

The fighting erupted after the rebels crossed the border to the north in Chad and attacked several towns on Friday.

In an interview with the BBC, General Bozize confirmed that his supporters were behind the rebellion and called on President Patasse to begin a dialogue or step down.

General Bozize was the CAR's army chief until his dismissal a year ago. He then went to Chad with a group of supporters.

Three weeks ago General Bozize was given refuge by France - the former colonial power of both Chad and the CAR - in an effort to reduce tensions between the two countries.

But General Bozize returned to Chad on Sunday, according to the French AFP news agency.

Spate of coups

The CAR Government forces are backed by about 200 Libyan soldiers, as well as a newly-deployed contingent from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bozize had been exiled to France

France on Sunday condemned the uprising, and urged rebel forces to lay down their arms.

There have been several attempts to topple President Patasse in recent years, as well as mutinies by soldiers demanding their pay.

Libya sent troops into the CAR to put down a coup in May 2001, and they have remained there ever since.

At a regional summit in Gabon earlier this month, African leaders agreed to send soldiers to replace the Libyan forces.