The UN has rescued 14 ambassadors from the home of vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba in the Democratic Republic of
Congo after it was hit with artillery fire.
"They were evacuated from the residence and taken to the MONUC (UN mission in the DRC) headquarters in a convoy of armoured vehicles with the support of Eufor (European force)," MONUC spokesman Major Hans Reichen said.
The diplomats -- part of the CIAT international committee accompanying the country's transition to democracy -- had been blocked in Bemba's residence for several hours after a heavy artillery attack carried out by tanks from the Congolese army.
Mr Bemba, who came second in the DRC's presidential election in provisional results announced on Sunday, now faces a second round run-off with outgoing President Joseph Kabila on October 29.
A western military source said the attack on Mr Bemba's residence was carried out by the republican guard, loyal to Mr Kabila. Mr Bemba remained in his home.
The ambassadors had been meeting with Mr Bemba "to seek a solution to defuse the situation" after fighting on Sunday killed at least five in Kinshasa.
The European Eufor force deployed 10 amoured vehicles in response to the attack, the first time Eufor troops have engaged militarily in the DRC.
"A Spanish rapid intervention unit deployed in its entirety with 150 men and 10 armoured vehicles," Lieutenant Colonel Thierry Fusalba said.
"The shooting stopped then there was a progressive retreat of both parties, with the departure of Congolese army tanks, which reduced the pressure," he added.
"We're going to stay in position for a while longer to see how things evolve."
MONUC said it plans to maintain a reinforced security operation in Kinshasa and around Mr Bemba's villa.
CIAT includes the ambassadors of the five UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- as well as those of Angola, Belgium, Canada, Gabon, South Africa, and Zambia and officials of MONUC, the European Union and the African Union.