Burundi army says kills 11 rebels in clash

BUJUMBURA, April 28 (Reuters) - Burundi troops killed 11 rebels in clashes on Monday with the country's last active guerrilla group, the army said, bringing the death toll from renewed fighting to 44 in less than two weeks.

Clashes have continued despite a 2006 peace deal and President Pierre Nkurunziza called last week for regional and international action against the rebels.

The latest fighting took place in Isale, a stronghold of the rebel Forces for National Liberation (FNL) 10 km (6 miles) from the capital Bujumbura.

"FNL fighters ambushed government troops who were patrolling the area. The army then launched an offensive operation to chase the insurgents," said army spokesman Colonel Adolphe Manirakiza.

FNL leaders were not immediately available for comment but they have blamed the government for the latest violence.

The persistent insurgency is seen by many as the final barrier to lasting stability in Burundi, a coffee growing nation of 8 million which is emerging from more than a decade of ethnic war that killed 300,000 people.

FNL fighters have mounted sporadic attacks since talks to implement the 2006 accord were suspended last July when they quit a truce monitoring team, accusing mediators of bias. (Reporting by Patrick Nduwimana; Editing by Matthew Tostevin) (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/)