Security in the central city of Jos

The army has taken over responsibility for security in the central city of Jos, Nigeria's Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

At least 65 Christians and 200 Muslims are believed to have died in religious rioting in Jos in recent days.

Mr Jonathan said the situation in Jos under control and those responsible would be brought to justice.

A BBC reporter in the region says the easing of a 24-hour curfew has allowed religious leaders to organise burials.

The vice-president made the annoucement in his first national broadcast since a court ruling last week court ruling empowering him to perform executive duties while President Umaru Yar'Adua is out of the country for health reasons.

A Red Cross official in Jos told the BBC he had seen scores of bodies on the streets, but that the army was now in control.

He said some of the 17,000 displaced people were returning home, but others had decided to flee the city itself.