Congolese president was 'hit by gunfire'

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo was hit by gunfire during an attempted coup, officials in neighbouring Republic of Congo say.

It remains unclear whether President Laurent Kabila was killed.

Intelligence officials in Rwanda said they had unconfirmed reports that Mr Kabila was dead. But senior Congolese officials insist Mr Kabila is alive.

The Republic of Congo official said it was unclear who was in control of the Kinshasa government.

His comments came hours after witnesses reported gunfire around the home of Mr Kabila, who has been fighting multiple rebel armies for more than two years.

The two Congos are separated by a river of the same name and the countries' peoples share family ties.

A presidential helicopter landed at Kinshasa's main hospital, a government official said.

There were unconfirmed reports that the aircraft was carrying Kabila's son, Joseph Kabila, who had apparently been injured. The younger Kabila is the head of Congo's military.

Presidential aide Eddy Kapend went on national television shortly after the shooting ended to appeal for calm, but he made no mention of the incident.

The bleary-eyed Kapend ordered that all airports and borders be closed, appealing to the armed forces and civil society leaders to help maintain order.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the approximately 30 minutes of shooting, which witnesses reported on condition their names not be used.