Mali armed forces loyal to former President Amadou Toumani Toure are fighting in the capital 0105122.

Heavy gunfire has erupted in Mali's capital, Bamako, on the second day of fighting between forces backing the country's new military rulers and soldiers loyal to former President Amadou Toumani Toure.

Shooting cracked out from the direction of the state television building on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, witnesses said, and people were reported to be fleeing the area. Malian military junta troops who carried out a coup in March guard the streets after renewed fighting in the capital Bamako May 1, 2012.

Forces of Mali's ruling military junta battled troops loyal to ousted president Amadou Toumani Toure in several parts of the capital Bamako for a second day on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, forcing residents to flee their homes.

Fighting overnight had claimed at least 14 lives, according to hospital sources who said casualties were on both sides.

Soldiers loyal to Captain Amadou Sanogo, who led the March 22 coup, insisted that important installations in the capital remained in their hands following a counter-coup attempt.

"Elements from abroad, supported by some obscure forces within the country, carried out these attacks. Some of them have been arrested," an officer said in a message aired on state television.

He said the coup-makers were still in control of the state broadcaster building, the airport, and the military base in Kati near Bamako, after rival forces attacked these locations on Monday, April 30, 2012.