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Troops have been deployed in Malawi to quell religious violence sparked by reports that five Muslims suspected of working for the al-Qaida terror network have been removed from the country.

Malawi's President Bakili Muluzi Sunday said he would not allow violence to threaten peace in the country.

Angry mobs in the southeastern Mangochi district near the commercial capital, Blantyre, looted and vandalized at least six Christian churches today.

Police say at least 11 people were arrested during the disturbances.

Outrage has grown in Malawi's large Muslim community over unconfirmed reports that the government allowed U.S. officials to secretly remove the alleged al-Qaida members, despite a court order that they remain in the country.

Uncertainty about the fate of the five suspects - two Turks, a Saudi, a Kenyan and a Sudanese - has inflamed tensions in the landlocked southern African country, which rarely sees religious clashes and has not been linked to terrorism in the past.

The suspects were detained a week ago during what Malawi government officials said was a joint operation with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The U.S. government has not confirmed its involvement and has not commented about the suspects' whereabouts.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.