Belgium confirms Laurant Kabila's death

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Laurent Kabila, has died from gunshot wounds after being shot by his bodyguard during an attempted coup.

Belgian Foreign Ministry officials have confirmed Kabila's death, although they were unable to verify it or give details.

A member of Kabila's security entourage said that the bodyguard had shot the president in the back and right leg.

He added that Kabila was alive and was being treated by doctors.

French diplomats in Paris also said they believed Kabila had been shot but was alive.

Intelligence officers in Rwanda said they had unconfirmed reports that Kabila was killed during intense shooting at the presidential palace.

Kabila's government would not give details of the the president's condition, or even whether he'd been shot.

The conflicting reports come after witnesses told of 30 minutes of gunfire around the home of Kabila, who has been fighting multiple rebel armies for more than two years.

A presidential helicopter did land at Kinshasa's main hospital, allegedly carrying Kabila's son, Joseph, who had apparently been injured. He is the head of Congo's military.

In the neighbouring Republic of Congo, a senior military official said it was unclear who was now in control of the Kinshasa government.