OAU Secretary General Amara Essy Tuesday expressed deep concern over the situation in Bangui, Central African Republic, where fighting reportedly broke out at the weekend.

The fighting was reported in Bangui after security officials tried to arrest former Army Chief Gen. Francois Bozize, accused of involvement in the 28 May failed coup in that country, a charge he has denied.

An OAU release quoted Essy as saying the latest development could worsen the "already precarious situation" in that country, and appealed to all parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means.

The OAU is also said to be sending to Bangui, a delegation led by Mahamt Habib Doutoum, an Assistant Secretary General, to assess the situation.