1.   However AFP correspondents Friday noted that life continued as normal and police were letting through anyone who gave them money.

2.   AFP correspondents noted that Russian aircraft resumed flights over Grozny Thursday, targetting separatist positions after two days of intense clashes in the city.

3.   Authorities could not confirm casualties, although an AFP correspondent noted blood covering the inside of a demolished vehicle outside a police station.

4.   Their convoy was escorted by armed Rwandan troops in jeeps, an AFP correspondent noted.

5.   Several of the vehicles had flat tyres, an AFP correspondent noted.