Some European Union military forces in Gabon are being flown into the Democratic Republic of Congo in an attempt to quell unrest in the capital Kinshasa.
The deputy commander of EU forces in Congo said German and Dutch peacekeepers stationed in Gabon were being transferred to Kinshasa.
Fighting continued in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital for a third day between forces loyal to the two candidates in October's presidential run-off.
Heavy gunfire was heard near the area where UN and European peacekeepers yesterday rescued a group of foreign ambassadors trapped by fighting between soldiers loyal to President Joseph Kabila and supporters of his election rival, former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.
"The situation is very tense. There's fighting inside the city. Bemba supporters are fighting government troops. UN troops and our (EU) troops are there, so that we can try to bring a bit of calm," the EU deputy commander said.
He said that ambassadors from the countries providing troops to the mission were engaged in political talks aimed at finding a negotiated solution.