Kabila 'killed while planning military and political shuffle'

Congolese President Laurent Kabila was killed while planning to a major political reshuffle.

According to local media reports, Mr Kabila was planning to fire some of his top aides.

An investigation will reportedly centre on the theory that the proposed reshuffle was reason for last week's assassination.

The President was shot on January 16, but accounts of the assassination and when he died have varied.

A brief firefight was heard around the presidential residence shortly after Mr Kabila was shot. The President was then flown to Zimbabwe, reportedly for medical treatment. A state funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.

Mr Kabila was disappointed with the conduct of the two-year civil war in Congo, during which his forces have lost control of about half the country. Five rebel groups, backed by Rwanda and Uganda, have been fighting to overthrow Kabila, whom they say was corrupt and promoted ethnic hatred.

Rwandan, Ugandan and rebel leaders have denied any involvement in Mr Kabila's death.

Congolese Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu told French television that Mr Kabila was killed by a longtime bodyguard while sitting at his desk. He said the bodyguard was killed and the motive for the attack remains a mystery.