20110326
reuters

KINSHASA (Reuters) - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recalled its ambassador to neighbouring Republic of Congo over what it said was Brazzaville's suspected involvement in a thwarted attack.

More than seven people were killed and hundreds more were arrested in what Kinshasa said was an attack by a group at the residence of the President Joseph Kabila on February 27.

"The ambassador of the DRC to Brazzaville has been recalled with immediate effect," a statement from the central African country's foreign minister Alexis Thambwe Muamba said on Friday without giving further details.

The DRC government said a military base, the international airport and a radio station had also been targets in the assault, and the attackers had planned to kill Kabila.

Authorities in the Congo Republic were not available for comment on Saturday.

A source at the DRC foreign ministry who asked not to be named said Kinshasa suspects that Brazzaville facilitated the crossing of the assailants from its side of the Congo river which separates the two capitals.

"We need answers on the security situation in relation to the events of February 27," said DRC government spokesman Lambert Mende.