Rebels 'planned offensive' ahead of Burundi elections

Burundian army soldiers patrol on a road near Rukoko, north of Bujumbura, on September 17, 2010. By Esdras Ndikumana (AFP/File)

Cibotoke (Burundi) (AFP) - Rebels in Burundi, who have suffered heavy losses in recent battles with the army, had planned a major offensive to destabilise the country ahead of elections later this year, the army said Monday.

Over a 100 fighters were killed last week by Burundi's army in forests some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital Bujumbura, where documents were found that showed the rebels had plotted "attacks throughout the country before elections" due in May and June, army spokesman Gaspard Baratuza told reporters.