By Jules S. Gueye
PANA Correspondent
The situation was still tense in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic (CAR) Tuesday, four days after the crisis triggered by government's attempt to arrest former Army Chief, Gen. Francois Bozize.

CAR Presidential spokesman, Prosper Ndouba told PANA by telephone that Bozize loyalists, who have taken positions north of the city, were exchanging sporadic gunfire with government troops.

He said a third meeting was scheduled for Tuesday between the UN Special Representative, Lamine Cisse of Senegal, and Gen. Bozize.

Both men had met Saturday and Monday without concrete results.

Ndouba said President Ange-Felix Patasse would like to break the stalemate and find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

"The Central African Republic has important financial meetings which it cannot afford to miss," Ndouba said, referring to the planned visit to Bangui next week by a joint IMF/World Bank delegation.

Last Friday, security forces tried to execute a summons issued on Gen. Bozize by the Commission of inquiry into the 28 May failed coup in CAR.

But elements loyal to Bozize, who was sacked as Army Chief in October, rebuffed the security forces, who wanted to arrest him.

Ndouba denied reports that other soldiers have joined Gen. Bozize and that Bangui was under rebel control.

He said Gen. Bozize, who reportedly played a key role in foiling the May coup attempt, should have confidence in the country's justice system, and reassured him on his security.