World IN BRIEF : ZAIRE : French Troops Act to Aid Foreigners

French troops seized positions in Zaire’s capital to protect foreigners from mutinous Zairian soldiers as violence reportedly spread to other cities. Belgian Radio said at least 18 people have died since the violence began in Kinshasa, the capital of the former Belgian colony. French, Belgian and other foreign nationals gathered at embassies or other secure locations to await evacuation. The violence began when about 3,000 Zairian paratroopers went on a rampage in the capital, closing the airport and Congo River port and looting stores.